When I was a kid in the 80's, people somehow got it in their minds that Satanic Cults were everywhere across the U.S., and that they were abducting, molesting, or murdering children during their dark rituals.
I actually remember seeing so much of it on the news, talks shows, and magazine shows like 60 Minutes, that I actually became paranoid about it for a while. If I was crossing an empty parking lot at dusk, and a creepy van drove by, I was sure that it was Satanists coming to get me so that they could sacrifice me to their dark lord.
I was like 10, so don't judge me too harshly on that one.
I'm not sure how it all got started, but I'd guess that it had to do with fundamental Christians deciding that Satan was destroying the fabric of our perfect society by way of Heavy Metal music, Horror films, and Dungeons & Dragons. They worked everyone into such a tizzy about it that there were a crazy amount of sexual abuse allegations leveled against Daycare Centers. Google "The McMartin Preschool Trial" and read what that bullshit did too innocent people.
The point is, that Satanic Panic bullshit was a very real thing in the 80's, and as worked up as everyone got about it, it turned out to little more than a bunch of asshole adults coercing fake memories out of kids with the use of Regression Therapy.
That's kinda what this movie is about.
***This review will contain plot SPOILERS that could potentially ruin the story for you, so proceed with caution***
It's 1990 in Minnesota, and Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke) is a hard-nosed detective who plays to win! So when the virginal Angela (Emma Watson) accuses her father of sexually molesting her (which he admits to, even though he can't remember doing it), Kenner is on the case. He turns to a British psychologist to help get to the bottom of everything, with the use of regression therapy... which forces repressed memories stored in the subconscious to come to the forefront. Sounds legit.
"TRY TO REMEMBER ALL OF THE HORRIBLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN EXACTING DETAIL." |
"KISS IT. EVERYONE ELSE HAS." |
Watch and find out!
MAYBE TAKE THE HEADPHONES OFF WHILE YOU'RE SNOOPING AROUND THE LAIR OF A SATANIC CULT! |
There were plenty of eerie moments throughout the film that gave us the willies though, and in that way it felt like a pretty effective "Horror" movie at times.
"SO... DESCRIBE THAT SATANIC ORGY ONE MORE TIME IF YOU DON'T MIND." |
If nothing else, Regression does a great job of illustrating that point, and giving the whole thing weight.
"AGAIN?" |
What Regression doesn't get right, is that it's predictable. It starts out strong, and then fizzles out near the end, not taking many narrative chances along the way. It's a great story that has all of the ingredients for a top-notch Thriller, but it just doesn't do as much with them as it could have. The dialogue could have been better too.
THE FACE OF AN ANGEL? |
If it happens to be showing at a theater near you, you could do worse than to go check it out.
C+
Regression is in Limited Theaters now. *Only about 100.
Oh, Emma.
Are the nudity content in the reviews no longer? If so, officially bummed.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not gone, we just don't always put it in a seperate section when we do our shorter reviews. I think I'll start adding the Gore & Nudity sections in all fo them from now on.
DeleteI really liked this one, a very solid little thriller that is much better than most.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was better than a lot of them. I think that Alejandro Amenabar is a talented writer/director.
DeleteI agree with the C+ rating. It's not that great but Hawke KILLED it in this! He was so good. I'm really rooting for him to keep doing these genre films and get recognized for his performances. He was also awesome in Predestination.
ReplyDeleteHe really was good in this. I used to think he was jsut another average actor, but liek you said, he started doing all of these Genre movies, and I love the guy now.
DeleteAgree on Predestination too, Chay.