This adaptation had me absolutely hooked. It’s been far too long since a movie left me sweating and genuinely squirming with discomfort; in the best possible way. The cast was absolutely stacked, and everyone delivered phenomenal performances. The psychosexual energy ? Utterly unhinged, and I loved every second of it.
Also, Lily-Rose Depp ? I’d like to respectfully smooch that magnificent cranium of hers.
Scariest movie of all time ? More like best musical of all time.
Seriously though, the marketing made this movie seem completely different plot-wise. I'm not saying it wasn't good, but it was also quite predictable. I don't see any similarity to "Silence of the Lambs" in terms of atmosphere or characters (Lee being an FBI agent doesn't count). However, it definitely felt like "The Shining," especially in Acts 1 and 2 with its deliberate symmetry and Lee's seemingly psychic…
There were 4 separate people who were watching the film during the same showtime as me. All 4 of them left 30-50 minutes in. I followed suit midway through the final act. Only three positive things to note about the movie :
1. Loved the transformation of each character. Thought this was going to be a Cloud Atlas situation and who knows, it could have been ! But I left before figuring that out.
…
the score and costumes, the cinematography, the acting ? top tier. some of the imagery will forever be engrained into my mind.
however, as a female viewer, some moments just fell completely flat. while bella's sexualization for her infantilism offered valid social commentary, max's presence in the final scene was puzzling. he, too, sexualized bella in that state ?? i think despite the film trying to make him endearing and redeeming, i couldn’t shake off the feeling of malice and or…
