A once-promising music prodigy reconnects with her former mentor,
only to find they have become taken with a talented new pupil. HORROR
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The Perfection (2018)Directed by Richard Shepard
Written by Richard Shepard, Eric Charmelo, Nicole Snyder Starring Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Weber, Alaina Huffman |
The Perfection is an unnerving circus from start to finish. You don't know exactly what's going on until the very end, and the payoff/reveal makes this something wholly original and unforgettable. Led by two powerhouse performances from Allison Williams and Logan Browning, it's astonishing to me that this didn't get more attention back in 2018. It's faded into the rest of Netflix's giant pool of originals, but it's easily one of their best in years. Is this a monster movie? Is this a zombie movie? Is this a revenge movie? Is this a psychological thriller? I recommend going in blind for the best viewing experience.
Charlotte (Williams) is a former cellist prodigy who was forced to leave the prestigious Bachoff Academy after her mother had a stroke. Years later, when her mother dies, Charlotte reaches out to her former teachers (Weber and Huffman) and discovers that they have a new master pupil in Lizzie (Browning). That's about all I can say in regards to the plot without spoiling everything, but suffice it to say, shit gets wild really fast. There's a certain scene involving bugs that really made my skin crawl, and that's only skimming the surface of this underrated gem. The Perfection is a film that seems to only be making waves via word of mouth. Every character is superbly written, and the final act is equal parts disturbing, vindicating, and satisfying. It also made me forever suspicious of private prep schools. Before you send your kid away to any sort of camp or school or academy, vet the hell out of the place. Talk to every teacher, every student you can find, and especially past faculty and students. You don't want your child to end up in a rape factory. |
Holy shit! Talk about an absolute surprise! Like many horror fans, I have been hearing about The Perfection for a while. But not in the usual way that involves me keeping track of a film from when its first announced to its eventual release. In this case, and also like many others admittedly, it was simply dumped onto Netflix with barely any notice and little fanfare. But, word of mouth started to spread quickly. It seemed like everyone who was watching was just heaping tons of praise towards this little movie. I even kept seeing it on several ‘best of’ end of year lists. And, finally, there was one common thing being said: “Go in completely blind.” So, naturally, I avoided all trailers and articles related to the film until I finally got around to seeing it. And, boy, am I glad I did. Talk about a horror movie which rewards the viewer for knowing absolutely next to nothing about it. With that said, let’s get into it.
Allison Williams and Logan Browning star as Charlotte and Elizabeth, respectively. Both are standout in their roles, even with all the twists and turns. Williams, in particular, is a joy to watch as her allegiances seem to constantly change. Steven Weber also shines as music teacher, Anton. While initially just another character, he quickly starts to nearly steal the show as the film progresses. Now, unfortunately, I really can’t get into too much more detail without spoiling anything. Just know this is a film with a heavy theme of things not being what they seem. A theme that is pulled off extremely well, I might add. Again, unfortunately, I really can’t get into too much detail here in my review. The Perfection is a film that you need to go into as blind as possible. Saying too much here would just spoil all the fun. Just know, the hype around this film is well deserved. A brilliantly acted horror film which keeps you guessing on which direction it’s going in. Trust me on this, check out The Perfection as soon as possible. You won’t regret it. |