Perpetrator is a 2023 American supernatural body horror film about a teenage girl with special powers called ‘forevering’.
Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder (Night’s End; V/H/S/94 ‘Holy Hell’ segment; Knives and Skin; Signature Move; Accidents at Home and How They Happen). Produced by Derek Bishé and Gregory Chambet.
The Divide/Conquer-WTFilms co-production stars Kiah McKirnan (Mare of Easttown), Christopher Lowell (My Best Friend’s Exorcism), Melanie Liburd (The Idol), Ireon Roach (Candyman (2021)), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), Avery Holliday, Casimere Jollette (Tiny Pretty Things), Sasha Kuznetsov, Melanie Liburd, Kiah McKirnan, Ilirida Memedovski, Ireon Roach and Greta Stolte.
Plot:
Jonny Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan) is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone).
On the event of her eighteenth birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called ‘forevering’. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator…
Reviews:
“Perpetrator vaguely recalls the aesthetics of B-movies, typical of some American horror films of the eighties, revised and interpreted in a feminist and queer key. Reeder thus uses many characteristic elements of his previous films and the whole film is a continuous drip of blood, from the nose or mouth; wounds abound, bloodstains that spread, even bubble, of a dense red. There is no shortage of fingers that erotically penetrate and sink into these bleeding openings…” Close-Up [translated from Italian]
“The purpose is obvious and we understand all in all what the director wants to express loud and clear. However, if the hubbub surrounding the feminist message had been toned down somewhat, it would have had more impact. The story would also have worked out better had it been backed up by skilled acting.” 2 out of 5, Horreur Quebec [translated from French]
“At once surreal, grotesque, and yet deeply empathic, Perpetrator is dark and sensuous in its raw examination of how the contemporary teenage girl mind can, and must, see a world that means them harm, and how to fight back against it. Reeder continues to be a singular American filmmaker with her finger quite firmly on this particular pulse.” Screen Anarchy
“Lit in Bava-esque colours, dripping with sexual frankness and surreal humour, and filled with characters whose bleeding or bandages are signifiers of a deeper collective trauma, Perpetrator assumes the mask of a slasher/superhero film to expose a patriarchal system that feeds on the exploitation of women […] Funny, freaky and full of feeling, Reeder’s genrefied feminist flick is a big deal.” Sight and Sound
“Perpetrator exists in a world where you can have blood and guts but not necessarily be scary. Instead, there is humor, often in the form of awkward moments […] A lot in Perpetrator is established but not dove into. There is the establishment of certain people having powers, the kidnapper focusing only on girls and potentially it being for body parts.” 76% Wherever I Look
For YouTube reviews, a trailer and clip and more movie info click the page 2 link below
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