Film Review – Violation (2021)
The incident of the title is tough to get through, as is the entire story whilst unravelling before and after scenarios of two not so close sisters and their respective spouses in a beautiful house within the misty, dense forest of Quebec.
Opening with reference to The Shining (1980) with ongoing similar musical score by composer Andrea Boccadoro, throughout this brutal feature directorial debut from Madeleine Sims-Fewer, also in front of the camera as lead, Miriam.
Mindfully slow, this is certainly no slasher in the woods, the often-uncomfortable harsh horror elements are established early as much psychological as they are bloody.
When Miriam has an awful occurrence inflicted upon her, she is torn it seems to retaliate; her sister Greta (played by 90s child actor Anna Maguire, featuring in Ever After; Saving Private Ryan) may not want to believe the actual circumstance.
Subdued chaos pulsates through Miriam and she goes into personal revenge mode, somewhat reminiscent of cult video-nasty, I Spit on your Grave (1978).
Isolation of the locales plays a part in proceedings, as does multiple scenes of animals or wild creatures usually lurking around in their natural habitat. A hunting metaphor is prominent throughout.
Sims-Fewer, is a force, unafraid obviously to push limits of the genre.
A highly charged sexual encounter concerning a blindfold and chair, plays out unimpededly to jolt the viewer into assorted reactions.
Madeleine can act too, believable as a woman already dealing with an impending divorce, constant dark dreams and fractured sibling connection, impacted further by what happens to her.
Realistic body horror effects add to the disturbing nature of this severe drama.
★★★
Drama, Horror | Canada, 2020 | 18 | 25th March 2021 | Shudder Exclusive | Dir.Dusty Mancinelli, Madeleine Sims-Fewer | Anna Maguire, Jesse LaVercombe, Madeleine Sims-Fewer
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