THE STYLIST (2020) Reviews and overview

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The Stylist will be released on Blu-ray by Arrow Video on June 8, 2021. The well-received 2020 horror film is currently streaming on Arrow.

The limited-edition set includes a soundtrack CD by Nicholas Elert (Gags the Clown), a double-sided fold-out poster, a booklet featuring writing on the film by journalist Emma Westwood and location scouting photos. It features reversible artwork with original and new art by Sara Deck. The Stylist is presented in high definition with original DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio. Special features:

Audio commentary by director/writer Jill Gevargizian and actress Najarra Townsend
Introduction by Jill Gevargizian
The Invisible Woman – Visual essay by critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
The Stylist: Behind the Scenes – 8 behind-the-scenes featurettes on different aspects of the production with cast and crew interviews
Location scouting featurette
Outtakes
Kickstarter video
The Stylist – 2016 short film directed by Jill Gevargizian
Pity – 2016 short film directed by editor John Pata with optional introduction by Pata
Teaser trailer
Theatrical trailer
Image galleries
Soundtrack CD composed by Nicholas Elert
Double-sided fold-out poster
Booklet featuring writing by journalist Emma Westwood

The Stylist is a 2020 American horror film about a lonely hairstylist with an unnerving desire to escape her disappointing reality.

Directed by Jill Gevargizian – making her feature debut after a plethora of well-received shorts – from a screenplay co-written with Eric Havens and Eric Stolze, based on Gevargizian’s 2016 short of the same name.

Plot:
Everyone dreams of being someone else… but for Claire (Najarra Towsend), that dream goes from an obsession to a living nightmare. Her job as a hairstylist allows her to move in and out of other people’s worlds, but when the right target sits in her chair, she does more than observes the client’s life – she ends it and keeps a permanent souvenir.

Her lonely life, meticulous method and shocking secrets are suddenly thrown into turmoil when her regular client, Olivia (Brea Grant), asks her to style her hair for her wedding…

Release date:
The Stylist was streamed on the Arrow platform in the UK, US and Canada on March 1st, 2021.

Reviews:
“Najarra Townsend is the glue that holds The Stylist together […] including a well-told story and inspired directing. There is enough tension and gore to satiate fans of scary films. But it is its lead that helps the story become more than just another slow-burn horror movie.” AITP

” …for its runtime just over fifteen minutes shy of two hours, it might’ve benefitted from one or two more kills. The narrative never wavers from Claire’s steadfast goal, nor does it spend a lot of time delving too deeply into her psyche beyond a few emotionally charged moments, so the middle act sags a bit. Still, though, it’s a strong debut by Gevargizian featuring a compelling horror villain.” Bloody Disgusting

The Stylist goes on an ambling ramble that doesn’t have much to say, even though it takes one hour and 45 minutes to say it. I offer that opinion not as a miffed man too clueless to “get” the film. This one I get just fine. I’m merely an ordinary moviegoer worn out by glacial pacing for a seen-before premise hungering for more substantial suspense.” Culture Crypt

” …a bold and stunning examination of how loneliness and anxiety can push all of us over the edge […] The Stylist also offers up one of the most wickedly audacious finales we’ve seen in modern genre cinema, where my proverbial jaw was on the floor once the credits rolled. Without a doubt, Gevargizian and everyone involved have created something special…” Daily Dead

“If you are a fan of the short then you’re sure to love The Stylist. Najarra Townsend gives a spellbinding performance, with Brea Grant once again proving that she’s one of the most consistent actors working in the genre. Killer performances, sticky scalpings, and costumes to die for, make this a wickedly crafted portrait of a serial killer.” The Hollywood News

Cast and characters:
Brea Grant … Olivia
Najarra Townsend … Claire
Laura Kirk … Frankie
Sarah McGuire … Dawn
Jennifer Seward … Sarah
Millie Milan … Monique
Davis DeRock … Charlie
Kyle Ament … Minister
Kimberly Igla … Rose
Bety Le … Christie
Edward Patterson … EZ Eddie
Vienna Maas … Flower Girl
Lindsay Solomon … Hairstylist #1
Angela Dupuie … Hairstylist #3
Timothy English … Coffee shop guy
Azzie Amani … Makeup Artist
Pepper … Pepper
Jimmy Darrah … Hardware Store Attendant
Ashley Kukay … Hairstylist #2
Chelsea Brown … Chelsea

Technical details:
105 minutes

Teaser:

Trailer:

Clips:

The original short:

MOVIES and MANIA rating:

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