Name: The Perfection
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
Released: 2018-09-20T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Weber, Alaina Huffman, Molly Grace

The moment Lizzie hacks off her own hand with a meat cleaver, you understand The Perfection isn’t content to be just another horror thriller. It’s a film that wants to unsettle, provoke, and challenge its audience. Directed by Richard Shepard, this 2018 Netflix release stars Allison Williams and Logan Browning as two cellists whose encounter spirals into a nightmarish exploration of trauma, manipulation, and systemic abuse.

At its core, The Perfection is a tale of two women entangled in the sinister web of Bachoff, a prestigious music academy hiding a dark secret. Charlotte (Williams), a former prodigy, returns to confront Anton (Steven Weber), the academy’s head, who has been exploiting and abusing his students for years. Her plan? To save Lizzie (Browning), Anton’s current star pupil, from the same fate by orchestrating a grotesque act of self-mutilation. The film’s strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of systemic sexual abuse and the complex dynamics between its protagonists.

Williams and Browning deliver powerhouse performances that anchor the film. Williams, known for her role in Get Out, brings a haunting intensity to Charlotte, a woman broken by years of abuse but still fighting to protect others from the same fate. Her performance is nuanced, capturing Charlotte’s vulnerability and strength in equal measure. There’s a scene where Charlotte confronts Anton in his office, her voice trembling with suppressed rage as she recounts her experiences. Williams’ ability to convey both fragility and ferocity in that moment is remarkable.

Browning, meanwhile, is equally compelling as Lizzie, a young woman caught in the crosshairs of Anton’s manipulation. Her transformation from a naive student to a determined avenger is believable and engaging. The scene where Lizzie discovers the truth about Bachoff and decides to team up with Charlotte is particularly effective, showcasing Browning’s ability to portray both fear and resolve.

Shepard’s direction is visually striking, using color to accentuate the film’s themes. The stark contrast between the clinical whiteness of Bachoff and the vibrant chaos of Shanghai underscores the duality of the film’s narrative—on one hand, a tale of systemic abuse and manipulation; on the other, a story of revenge and empowerment. The use of Vantablack in key scenes adds an extra layer of unease, plunging the audience into the darkness that permeates the film’s themes.

However, The Perfection stumbles in its execution of its ambitious themes. The script, co-written by Shepard, Eric C. Charmelo, and Nicole Snyder, often feels disjointed, struggling to balance its horror elements with its dramatic ones. The pacing is uneven, with the first half of the film dragging as it sets up its complex plot, only to rush through its climax in a flurry of violence and revenge. This imbalance makes it difficult for the audience to fully invest in the characters’ journeys.

Moreover, the film’s attempts to tackle themes of sexual assault and queerness are somewhat bungled. While it aims to subvert traditional horror tropes, it often falls back on clichés, resulting in a narrative that feels muddled rather than revolutionary. The ending, though satisfying in its twisted logic, fails to fully capitalize on the emotional weight of the characters’ journeys.

The film’s exploration of mental health is another area where it falters. Charlotte’s actions, while driven by her traumatic past, are often portrayed in a way that feels more sensational than substantive. The film misses an opportunity to delve deeper into the psychological complexities of its characters, instead opting for shock value over nuanced character development.

Comparisons to other films in the genre are inevitable, but The Perfection carves out its own niche with its unique blend of horror, thriller, and drama. It’s a film that demands your attention, even as it stumbles in its execution. The performances by Williams and Browning are standout moments, elevating the material and making it more than just another Netflix original.

In terms of genre fit, The Perfection strives to be a subversive take on the horror-thriller genre, blending elements of psychological horror with themes of revenge and empowerment. However, its execution falls short of truly groundbreaking work in the genre. Films like Parasite and Past Lives manage to seamlessly integrate their thematic explorations with their narrative structures, something The Perfection struggles to achieve.

The film’s originality lies in its bold attempt to tackle complex themes within the framework of a horror thriller. However, its execution often feels haphazard, with the various elements not coalescing into a cohesive whole. The film’s ambition is commendable, but it ultimately falls victim to its own complexity.

The Perfection is a flawed but fascinating exploration of trauma and revenge. It’s a film that wants to challenge its audience, to make them think as much as it makes them squirm. While it doesn’t always succeed in its ambitions, it’s still a compelling watch, thanks in large part to the strong performances by Williams and Browning.

For fans of psychological horror and thrillers, The Perfection offers a unique and engaging experience. However, those looking for a more polished or cohesive narrative may find themselves disappointed. The film’s strengths lie in its bold themes and standout performances, but its weaknesses are equally pronounced.

In the end, The Perfection is a film that demands attention. It’s not perfect, but it’s far from forgettable.