Clock

Clock is a particularly female-oriented horror film.

So I'm not sure that I am the right person to be reviewing.

As, in the film, we find ourselves following Ella (played by Dianna Agron), who is facing the ticking of her biological clock, and all the anxieties that come with it.

Doctors seem to think she suffers from a syndrome, that instills a deep seeded fear about having children within her.

So it doesn't help that she feels pressured to have children by her family and friends...not to mention, nature, itself.

As a result, she subjects herself to a series of grueling psychological tests, at an institute that is studying women with her condition.

A series of tests that force her to confront the underlying darkness that has prevented her from having children up until this point.

This darkness seems to be a trait inherited from cultural trauma, passed down through the generations.

A trauma relating to her Jewish ancestry, and the experience her family went through during WWII.

With these rigorous psychological tests bringing her underlying anxieties to the surface...in the form of a series of bizarre hallucinations.

Making the whole thing a psychological horror.

As this darkness starts to consume her life.

And affect her relationship with her friends.

Particularly the pregnant ones.

The name of the film comes a grandfather clock her father owns, which is her family's most prized heirloom.

Being the only thing they managed to salvage from the war.

So it, not only, symbolizes the pressure she feels to procreate...but might also harbour a dark supernatural force...which has been preventing her from wanting to bring children into such a broken world.

It all seems to be pretty straight forward, until they throw a bit of a twist in at the end.

Which solidifies her descent into madness.

A result of the manipulation she feels she is being put through.

Agron does an excellent job, portraying a woman spiraling out of control, as a result of the transition from potential motherhood, to being a crone.

Ultimately leading to the film's unexpected conclusion (even when the hints are there).

I see that this film has been garnering some rather harsh reactions - mostly, from male viewers.

But I don't think they are warranted.

Because it is both an entertaining, and engaging, film.

That held my attention throughout.

But don't take my word for it...cause I'm just a dude.

As only middle aged, and post menopausal, women can truly understand.

5.5 out of 10.

I'm all about firmly establishing that putting pressure on people to have children is a cruel, ignorant, arrogant, awful thing to do. Whether the source of that pressure is society and culture, peers, family, tradition, or anything else at all - even hormones and biology - the very notion that people who can become pregnant can and should and must sacrifice their will and autonomy to anyone or anything else, and that refusal or declination to do so suggests one is "broken" or "abnormal," is a level of horror that's all too real. In turn, it's only reasonable that a movie should be made about exactly that. I would say that filmmaker Alexis Jacknow approaches all this with a heavy hand, but then, when the question in the air is one of self-autonomy and self-determination in the face of monumental opposing forces, there's not much room for nuance. On the other hand, this is cinematic storytelling we're talking about, and not politics, and however potent and admirable some dialogue and scene writing may be on an emotional level, extending that heavy hand to the construction of the picture isn't necessarily as smart or commendable. It's not that this isn't well made, or that there aren't good ideas on hand, because this couldn't be further from the truth. Yet the fact remains that for all the fine craftsmanship and intelligence that went into it, 'Clock' feels hard and blocky as a viewing experience, like a key that doesn't truly fit into the lock of our brain.

I'm going to keep using the phrase "heavy-handed" here, because it's all too appropriate. While the overarching concept already provides a thick, viscous layer to take in, like the most unforgiving humidity that you nevertheless have to breathe in, there's more. Other ideas that Jacknow adds to it might be a step too far; protagonist Ella's family history, and the sense of obligation that follows therefrom, are ideas worth exploring, and the lines Ella drops in one key conversation with Dr. Simmons in this regard are all too on point - but this extra angle just feels excessive in light of, well, that entire first paragraph I just wrote. The psychological angle is full of delicious potential, but it's one that specifically requires a very delicate, subtle hand to do well; as there's no mistaking that Jacknow's digits are leaden, the approach kind of falls flat. Disturbing imagery is genuinely gnarly; intended jump scares, and the most unnatural visions to present, just seem out of place here. The shift in the color palette, the cinematography that keys in on Elle's troubled mindset, dialogue and scene writing to follow in the latter half: in far, far too many ways, in conjuration and in execution, 'Clock' practically beats us over the head with every odd and end. In every capacity there are a lot of terrific ideas here, and I recognize a great bounty of possibilities in what this could have been. "Could have been," however, is not "is."

Even before the revelation to come in the last act, precipitating the finale, the result of all this heavy-handedness - one clunky, boulder-sized dispensation after another - is that the whole feels a little scattered and unfocused. As if to emphasize the point, while on the one hand Ella gets another triumphant moment to shine in the last small stretch, what follows in the very last few minutes just feels like an absolute mishmash, as though Jacknow couldn't figure out exactly how to end the story, or what she wanted to say.

Everything looks and sounds good from a standpoint of the fundamental construction. Production design, art direction, visual effects, sound effects, music, direction, acting, editing, costume design, hair, makeup, cinematography: even if I don't agree with all the choices made, I appreciate the hard work and skill that went into this. Jacknow's direction is mostly just fine. I really do like the ideas that she put into her screenplay. The sad fact remains that, not least given the psychological edge to the storytelling, what this feature needed above all was a more carefully considered, thoughtful, tactful approach, in almost every manner. Even for all this, I think 'Clock' represents a fairly strong first full-length film for Jacknow, and I truly look forward to seeing what she does in the future as she further develops her skills as a storyteller and filmmaker. Part of me feels bad being so critical here because I recognize the earnestness of the intent, and all the ardor that made this what it is. Still, however smart this or that may be, when you get down to it the final product just isn't particularly thrilling, or entertaining, or satisfying - not even on that emotional level that does provide some gratifying tidbits here and there. I wish nothing but the best for Jacknow, or anyone else involved, and all the best of luck in their future endeavors; may this 2023 flick be a platform that helps them step up to something more.

Clock is a film that could have been good. It has a solid premise and set-up, although some of the dialogue is a bit heavy handed. The acting is solid - Agron is a great lead. However, the plot is completely scattershot and by the end the film has lost sight of whatever point it was trying to make. It constantly shifts gears, and in the second half piles on plot developments that really amount to nothing. Which is a shame because I think if it picked a lane and fleshed that out it could've been a really tight and engaging film. It's also devoid of any scares - though one scene at a birthday produced some solid tension.

Despite what some of the reviewers say...yes. There are some very insightful things that are addressed in the story. But it doesn't pay off in the end, in my opinion. It's a bit confused, i think...part of it a commentary on child bearing/rearing and part of it a horror story. But i don't feel the two blended well...maybe in two or three rewrites, but it felt like it was still a work in progress and found itself needing an ending which wasn't at all satisfying. Just a 'let's do this and get it over with' type last act...the first two acts were enjoyable, though. And endings are difficult. But important.

I adore horror movies that are still finding ways to be different this day and age. Alexis writes and directs a love poem metaphor to women everywhere who don't want to have children in a society where they are made to feel like outsiders.

The lead actress's performance is absolutely stellar, the writing is great, and the body horror is apt (albeit of a narrow stripe, that will likely go over the head of those who don't enjoy cerebral horrors).

If you like your horror movies to be intellectual, Feminist, well-acted, off the beaten path, and just plain interesting as compared to the usual fare, Clock will work for you. I very much look forward to seeing more of Alexis' work in future.