I have wanted to watch this movie for a very long time now. Recently released, it was far more intense then I was expecting. My God this is a tough one to watch.
Set during the Balkan wars, we open in a dusty and dirty house. There are women everywhere, crying and bruised while big men shuffle them around. We know what's going on. The frightened and vacant looks on the girls tells us exactly what this place is. These are not women, but slaves, and this dusty and dirty house is their living hell. But this house has many secrets, and a mute slave called Angel knows them all. It's only a matter of time before this mute girl can no longer stay silent...
I love revenge films. They give me a sense of satisfaction as the victim always comes out on top. But this movie was very hard to enjoy. From the very beginning, the tone is set for this to be an emotional roller coaster. Knowing this stuff happens only makes it hit home that much harder. I hate rapists! I despise anyone that would inflict such cruelty onto another. This movie does not shy away from how disgusting rape really is. Even going so far as to show a girl with a broken pelvis, it's enough to make you sick to your stomach. I have watched a lot of disturbing movies and I still struggle with content such as this. This movie takes things to a whole new level. You'll be disturbed for sure.
Not only is the content disturbing, but the special effects are too. The Fx is surprisingly graphic and explicit, you'll be cringing and startled at the sight of the blood gushing. Of course when the tables turn, it becomes a lot more satisfying to watch, but no more easier. These effects looked as real as they can be. I applaud the film makers, this is some extreme looking gore. Trust me, there will be blood. And lots of it.
The acting is phenomenal. Rosie Day as the silent Angel, makes this movie. While not uttering a single line, she conveys so much emotion it's hard not to admire her. Sean Pertwee is excellent as the villain. Seeping with anger and sadism he's a guy you love to hate. Kevin Howarth is also excellent as the owner of the forced prostitution house. I found myself unsure of his motivations throughout the movie. The man was very clever at appearing sympathetic while at the same time reeking of disgust and cruelty. Finally a shout out for Anna Walton, who played my favourite character of the movie. I won't spoil her scenes, but the things her character goes through is beyond tragic and heart breaking. What a performance!
This movie reminds me of so many other revenge movies. I Spit comes to mind, due to the relentless rape, and Thriller and Cruel Picture, due to the similar use of heroin on the sex slaves. It even seems similar to Eden Lake in a couple of ways, number one of which being the tone. This movie is dark and brutal. Intense and heart wrenching. But for a directorial debut, fantastic on so many levels. While it was hard to enjoy this movie, it was none the less a brilliant experience. Perhaps not one I'll ever watch again, but one I was grateful to have seen.
Please see this movie. It's is hard to watch and incredibly disturbing, but it's movies like these that need to be seen.
Thankyou for reading.
Set during the Balkan wars, we open in a dusty and dirty house. There are women everywhere, crying and bruised while big men shuffle them around. We know what's going on. The frightened and vacant looks on the girls tells us exactly what this place is. These are not women, but slaves, and this dusty and dirty house is their living hell. But this house has many secrets, and a mute slave called Angel knows them all. It's only a matter of time before this mute girl can no longer stay silent...
I love revenge films. They give me a sense of satisfaction as the victim always comes out on top. But this movie was very hard to enjoy. From the very beginning, the tone is set for this to be an emotional roller coaster. Knowing this stuff happens only makes it hit home that much harder. I hate rapists! I despise anyone that would inflict such cruelty onto another. This movie does not shy away from how disgusting rape really is. Even going so far as to show a girl with a broken pelvis, it's enough to make you sick to your stomach. I have watched a lot of disturbing movies and I still struggle with content such as this. This movie takes things to a whole new level. You'll be disturbed for sure.
Not only is the content disturbing, but the special effects are too. The Fx is surprisingly graphic and explicit, you'll be cringing and startled at the sight of the blood gushing. Of course when the tables turn, it becomes a lot more satisfying to watch, but no more easier. These effects looked as real as they can be. I applaud the film makers, this is some extreme looking gore. Trust me, there will be blood. And lots of it.
The acting is phenomenal. Rosie Day as the silent Angel, makes this movie. While not uttering a single line, she conveys so much emotion it's hard not to admire her. Sean Pertwee is excellent as the villain. Seeping with anger and sadism he's a guy you love to hate. Kevin Howarth is also excellent as the owner of the forced prostitution house. I found myself unsure of his motivations throughout the movie. The man was very clever at appearing sympathetic while at the same time reeking of disgust and cruelty. Finally a shout out for Anna Walton, who played my favourite character of the movie. I won't spoil her scenes, but the things her character goes through is beyond tragic and heart breaking. What a performance!
This movie reminds me of so many other revenge movies. I Spit comes to mind, due to the relentless rape, and Thriller and Cruel Picture, due to the similar use of heroin on the sex slaves. It even seems similar to Eden Lake in a couple of ways, number one of which being the tone. This movie is dark and brutal. Intense and heart wrenching. But for a directorial debut, fantastic on so many levels. While it was hard to enjoy this movie, it was none the less a brilliant experience. Perhaps not one I'll ever watch again, but one I was grateful to have seen.
Please see this movie. It's is hard to watch and incredibly disturbing, but it's movies like these that need to be seen.
Thankyou for reading.