I never knew a scary movie could make me feel so emotional, enlightened and nervous all at once. This Austrian horror film does many things in terms of real depictions of body dysmorphia, torture, psychosis and irreparable grief. There isn't one scene you can watch and fully trust until you reach the end. An effective technique for a film like this. One that doesn't rely much on over the top CGI or intense gore. It kept me watching and seeking to understand. I fell partial to the peculiar, yet close relationship between twin brothers, Elias and Lukas. Maybe because I am a twin myself, I get the camaraderie, the looking out for each other and the undeniable bond. We see them interact together against beautiful scenic backdrops. They like chasing each other through cornfields, swimming in rivers, exploring caves. They really love catching bugs. Although, as close to the earth as they seem, it becomes glaringly obvious from their impressive home, they come from privilege, they live in a very modern home, state of the art environment. This idea of materialism continues when their mother returns from a cosmetic procedure, her entire face bandaged, she is physically unrecognizable to Elias and Lukas. We are unaware of why she's had the surgery, but her behavior towards the boys is cold. Even colder still towards Lukas. The boys begin to wonder if this is their mother at all.
Now that I've set this up a little better, you have to know how moved I am by something that seems like such a simple plot before it unravels into a story about coping and disbelief. Doing what you have to do.
Touching on the dysmorphia a bit I really love the dichotomy of plastic surgery and the presence of identical twins, I think it says a lot. Dysmorphia deals with seeing things that aren't there, no sense of self. In fact, you see yourself in negative ways that may not exist. I like how this movie brings in identical twins and the fact that the mere presence of 2 seemingly identical beings would perhaps wipe away any dysmorphia, if only the for the fact that someone exists, who looks exactly like you. There is a constant reminder that may or may not possibly help remembrance of these facts. This is something I picked up more in terms of mirror imaging and the way someone with body dysmorphia may see themselves and grow resentful. It's something to ponder but I like that this movie even makes me think of it.
I'm never about spoilers because I always hope you read these reviews and go out and watch the movies for yourselves. Here are my clues: Pay attention to all the decor in the house and the difference by the mother in behavior towards the twins. These were the 2 observations I most enjoyed attempting to decipher so hope you do too. Let me know what you thought!
Image Courtesy of: imdb.com
Now that I've set this up a little better, you have to know how moved I am by something that seems like such a simple plot before it unravels into a story about coping and disbelief. Doing what you have to do.
Touching on the dysmorphia a bit I really love the dichotomy of plastic surgery and the presence of identical twins, I think it says a lot. Dysmorphia deals with seeing things that aren't there, no sense of self. In fact, you see yourself in negative ways that may not exist. I like how this movie brings in identical twins and the fact that the mere presence of 2 seemingly identical beings would perhaps wipe away any dysmorphia, if only the for the fact that someone exists, who looks exactly like you. There is a constant reminder that may or may not possibly help remembrance of these facts. This is something I picked up more in terms of mirror imaging and the way someone with body dysmorphia may see themselves and grow resentful. It's something to ponder but I like that this movie even makes me think of it.
I'm never about spoilers because I always hope you read these reviews and go out and watch the movies for yourselves. Here are my clues: Pay attention to all the decor in the house and the difference by the mother in behavior towards the twins. These were the 2 observations I most enjoyed attempting to decipher so hope you do too. Let me know what you thought!
Image Courtesy of: imdb.com
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