In a similar vein to 2017's XX, a rather brilliant horror anthology directed solely by women, Shevenge brings us 12 titillating tales designed by 11 female directors. Thematically, the hair-raising stories in this anthology feature frightening femme fatales and their different approaches to the ideas of self-empowerment and revenge. While I don't think it will become an instant classic, this is an entertaining and commendable entry into the ever popular and recently trending style that is the horror anthology.
I'll start with a few very important and pervasive issues that punctuate the entirety of this otherwise amusing film. The glaring weakness of this anthology - the Achilles heel of any anthology, really - is that it struggles with consistency. This is due to the fact that this collection of vignettes was assembled using preexisting short films from so many different directors. This actually ends up producing a second issue: it often feels like many of the stories are cut short right as they start to get good (looking at you "Fetch"), leaving something to be desired. Lastly, best exemplified by "Karma is a B***h," some actors end up bringing down the whole ship with lackluster performances that fail to sell the scene, especially when juxtaposed with actors that are significantly more effective in their roles.
That said, if you can get past the aforementioned cinematic faux pas, the production value and charm are exceptional enough for each story to be enjoyable in many aspects. Excellent story-telling is greatly embellished with moments of black humor, impressive practical effects, dark tonality, and some genuinely unsettling moments.
Our lovable, if not somewhat insipid host for the night's festivities, Vanessa Gomez, uses tongue-in-cheek humor to playfully guide us through a series of macabre misanthropic misadventures told in 4 segments: Kiss and Kill, Murderous Moms, Anger Mismanagement, and Love You To Pieces.
Below are brief Plot Summaries:
Wilson's Psycho Therapy:
Her husband ditched her for a younger model, so now she needs a little help with processing that.
For a Good Time Call. . . :
He can cheat women all he wants, but he can't cheat death.
All Men Must Die:
The "nice" guy at the bar just won't take the hint. But he will take a hit.
Just a Girl:
While suffering verbal and physical abuse, a young woman cycles through thoughts that motivate and empower her to change.
Lady Hunters:
While vacationing together, three women regale one another with atrocities committed by men, inspiring their own brand of wicked justice.
Hooker Assassin:
What should have been a routine exchange for this comfort woman turns into something altogether different.
Fetch:
The world has dried up. Now everyone has thirsts that need quenched.
Glass Ceiling:
Contract killers decide to turn the tables on "the man" when they discover some disparaging facts-of-the-matter.
Doll Parts:
A kind man offers an attractive young hitchhiker a ride and discovers that they each harbor their own secrets.
Karma is a B***h:
For a young girl reaching the end of her rope in life, she finds comfort in a dubious and damnable diva.
Recipe #42:
From sweet to sour in a flash! An aspiring chef shares her latest recipe with her new neighbor. A dish to die for.
Metamorphosis:
A despondent woman with an abusive husband discovers a scandalously auspicious opportunity for absolution.
