Resurrection

Greetings again from the darkness. You never want to be the ex-partner who causes a panic attack for another person ... especially after 22 years apart. Writer-director Andrew Semans puts a face to whatever you call the opposite of a dream partner or role model by casting Tim Roth as David Moore. However, before we first glimpse Roth's David, we meet Margaret (Rebecca Hall), a woman who seems to have seized control over every part of her life. Her apartment is immaculate. Her business attire classy. Her glass-paned manager's office efficient. Her married-co-worker-with-benefits at her beck and call. Her speedy runs through town keep her focused and fit. Her about-to-turn 18-year-old daughter is prepped for college. Yep, every aspect of Margaret's life is under control.

Most of us know what happens when we are arrogant enough to believe we are in control - life usually slaps us with a dose of reality. For Margaret, the hints are there. A tooth found in her daughter's wallet. A bike ride gone wrong. A glimpse across the room at a seminar. Another at the shopping mall. And finally, a confrontation in the park. This is how, after 22 years, David drops back into her life - a stalker creating turmoil, doubt, and anxiety. By this point, we've seen Margaret doling out advice to young intern Gwyn (Angela Wong Carbone) on how to handle a manipulative boyfriend - one she deems sadistic. Margaret appears strong and is counseling Gwyn on how to be strong and find someone worthy of her love. It's this conversation, along with how Margaret hovers over her daughter Abbie (Grace Kaufman), that tells us Margaret has a past that's not as perfect as her present.

Margaret's backstory is told via a single-shot extended monologue where she recounts her relationship with David. It's a stunning bit of acting by Ms. Hall, and filmmaking that not only explains the emotional baggage weighing down Margaret, but also makes her relatable. The moment is so taut with emotion that it ends with a kinda-sorta punchline from Gwyn. The first two acts build tension and hint at the bizarre nature of the long-ago David/Margaret relationship, and the "kindnesses" (twisted shows of loyalty and devotion) involved, but we simply can't prepare ourselves for the 'off-the-rails' occurrences in the final act.

Wyatt Garfield's cinematography and the muted colors of every scene and set, enhance the feeling of suspense and pending trauma. The film provides an excellent example of the long-reaching impact of mind-control, gaslighting, and sadistic manipulation as one person tries to control another. Since Margaret refuses to come clean with her daughter, Abbie is convinced her heading off to college is causing her mother's breakdown. Instead, the psycho-thriller goes much deeper in showing just how Margaret's vulnerability at a young age has stuck with her more than two decades later, and no amount of Helen Reddy's "I am Woman" can break the spell ... it requires action to stifle a diabolical jerk like David.

Ms. Hall is outstanding and believable in the role, and without her performance, the story would seem like a parody of the genre. She has quite a career of playing the victim, which seems to come naturally to her, as she's proved in such films as CHRISTINE (2016). Mr. Roth is a multi-talented actor and doesn't shy away from becoming a despicable face of evil. Both are 'all-in' for these characters, as is Grace Kaufman, who has worked consistently as an actor since the age of nine, mostly in TV roles. While I'm not a huge fan of the third act or the ending, there is plenty here to admire.

Opens in theaters on July 29, 2022.

Writer-Director Andrew Seaman's RESURRECTION is a dark psychological thriller about a single mother, Margaret (brilliantly essayed by Rebecca Hall) working at a pharmaceutical company. At first, her life seems orderly enough and she privately counsels a young intern at the firm, Gwyn (Angela Wong Carbone). Margaret's daughter Abbie (Grace Kaufman) is on the verge of turning 18 which causes some pre-emptory empty nest issues. Margaret is also carrying on an affair with a married man (Michael Esper). Tensions boil over when an Ex, David (Tim Roth; quietly malevolent), suddenly shows up in town.

Hall's performance is eerily intense from the start. An eight minute long uncut monologue reveals much of what her character is going though, and Hall commands the screen. As Margaret's concerns grow, the ante builds and builds into a mania. Hall's fervid acting becomes genuinely frightening intense. As the film reaches it's finale it is almost aggressively uncomfortable to watch. And, that's even BEFORE the movie reaches its actual climax!

RESURRECTION treads the line between straight drama, thriller and horror film only dipping into the latter at the very end (and quite graphically; the perverse symbolism will also turn-off some viewers). Hall's performance carries the movie on her back. It may not be a pleasant movie to view, but, she - and the movie -- will stick with you long after the end credits roll.

Watching this movie was chilling and absolutely terrible in the best possible way.

It is one of those movies that dares to put something on display that we, as viewers, really dont want to see - something unsettling. It doesnt feel good to watch - it is effective that way - and that is exactly why its brilliant.

In Resurrection we get no white picket fences or happily ever afters. Instead we are thrown into the deep end with serious matters such as deteriorating mental health, abuse, emotional suppression, gaslighting and grief. A woman (Rebecca Hall), who lives a seemingly successful life, stumbles upon a psychological trigger that starts an avalanche of past trauma.

Rebecca Hall's performance is breathtaking - hands down. The way this woman portrays the chaos of downward spiraling mental health while being a victim of gaslighting is both maddening and incredibly beautiful. At times it is so well done that it is hard to tell what is actually real and what is happening in her head.

Resurrection is absolutely worth a watch. FAIR WARNING THOUGH... if you yourself have experienced mental abuse it might be triggering and may not be an enjoyable watch for you.

'Resurrection' is the type of film that makes me really miss the IMDb message boards. I used to love the discussion and theories thrown about on ambiguous films like this one. There's a lot going on in this one and it isn't always clear what is real and what is not.

The film reminded me of another 2022 film 'Men'. It was done in a different way (for the most part) but had similar themes and messages. That one was a little more in your face with its message, whereas 'Resurrection' holds its cards a little closer to its chest.

I couldn't complete this review without mentioning Rebecca Hall. She may just be the best actress working at the moment. She is so captivating to watch. She has all the gears too. Her character has a massive arc in this film and she nails every stage of it. She has an 8 minute dialogue at one point that is mesmerising to watch.

I really enjoyed this film. There will be some who find they don't get enough answers. But equally there will be plenty of audience members who like the idea of putting the puzzle together themselves. I recommend checking this one out. 8/10.

Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival

"Resurrection" is a different kind of horror movie. It's more of a slow burn thriller that continues to make you feel tense and uncomfortable, yet captivating at the same time. Director Andrew Semans seems to understand how cinema works as his direction provides a great sense of suspension and thrills throughout the movie. With captaining camerawork and great performances from Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth. Hall is one of the my favorite underrated actresses even if she had been in some stinkers in the past as the same for Tim Roth. Roth always never fails to impress me with his stylish performances and personality he carries on his shoulders. Grace Kaufman was also really good as well.

The emotional impact of this film works well because of the writing. The writing creates many scenarios that felt creepy and filled with tension. There's even a scene where it's a 10 minute or so dialogue shot that focuses on the character for some time but it never feels boring because of the performance given to create a realistic approach of that scene. With great camerawork, production and interesting character development. It's not 100 percent perfect as there are some pacing issues halfway and certain moments that felt it could have been re written. In my opinion, the ending felt a little rushed as if they had ran out of time to finish filming the rest of the movie. Although these flaws appeared, the movie still was a really good fun experience.

Good Flick.

Rating: B+