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Greetings again from the darkness. Many of us (perhaps too many) are drawn to the dark side - topics that dig into the ugly side of human nature that Mr. Rogers mostly avoided in his neighborhood. A quick look at the popularity of true crime shows provides proof of the fascination that corresponds to those who don't subscribe to the golden rule. Writer-director Pascal Plante has a track record of film festival success and his latest fits the mold - fascinating to watch with a twist that may have viewers questioning their own assumptions.

Ludovic Chevalier (Maxwell McCabe-Lokus) is a demented serial killer on trial for the murder of 3 teenage girls, ages 13, 14, and 16. He is facing multiple additional charges including sexual abuse, necrophilia, torture, etc. He used 'red rooms' to film these atrocious actions and then sold the recordings for profit. The opening statement from prosecutor Chedid (Natalie Tannous) stuns us with details of crimes, as well as informing us that 2 of the 3 tapes will be shown to the jury. Suspect Chevalier sits quietly in a glass cage as the court proceedings take place. However, the serial killer is not the most interesting character in this story. Seated in the gallery as close to Chevalier as possible is Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariepy) and Clementine (Laurie Babin). We learn that it's common for serial killers to have groupies ... not unlike rock stars, movie stars, and professional athletes.

Each day, Kelly-Anne and Clementine grab their courtroom seats and take in the show. The two form an unlikely and shaky friendship. See, Kelly-Anne is a model and high stakes online poker player. She has a sophisticated, AI voice-activated computer system in her high-rise apartment. In comparison, Clementine is a simple woman convinced that Chevalier is innocent because of his warm eyes. She feels a bond to him, and assumes Kelly-Anne shares this bond and belief.

Filmmaker Plante starts us off in a similar fashion to other courtroom dramas, however this one is also part dark web tutorial and psychological case study - not to mention a peek at cryptocurrency and hacking. Like Clementine, we assume we understand Kelly-Anne's motives, but there is an old saying about when we assume. As the story develops, it's the psychological aspects that hold our attention. Stone-faced Kelly-Anne only rarely offers cracks in her façade, and Plante manages to add tension to online poker and dark web auctions.

This was filmed in Montreal in French language, though we get only minimal shots of the city. Instead, much of the time is spent on close-ups of stoic Kelly-Anne and those eyes that are so difficult to interpret. Almost no gore is shown here outside of a single screen shot inside a red room, and the atrocities are wisely left to our imaginations. However, there is one quite disturbing sequence that finds Kelly-Anne in a specific costume for one day in court. I'll admit to having to Google Kelly-Anne's username to realize that 'Lady of Shallot' is a reference to a Tennyson poem. The end could be described as a twist (depending on your own previous assumptions), and yet also open-ended enough to generate plenty of analysis and debate. Pascal Plante has delivered quite a smart and complex character in Kelly-Anne.

Opened in select theaters on September 6, 2024.

"Red Rooms," the 2023 Canadian thriller, grips you from the first frame and doesn't let go until the final credits roll. The plot weaves a web of suspense and obsession around the high-profile trial of Ludovic Chevalier, a notorious serial killer. What sets this film apart is its brilliant direction, which skillfully navigates the fine line between horror and psychological thriller. The tension builds relentlessly, leaving you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface. The cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the eerie atmosphere of the story while maintaining a visceral connection to the characters' emotions.

At the heart of "Red Rooms" lies a captivating exploration into the psyche of Kelly-Anne, a character whose obsession with the case blurs the boundaries between reality and her own morbid fantasies. This journey delves deep into the mind of a serial killer groupie, a character study that is as disturbing as it is engrossing. The film doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truths of human fascination with the macabre, painting a raw and unflinching portrait of a woman who becomes entangled in a sinister quest for the missing video of a murdered 13-year-old girl. The performances are nothing short of exceptional, with the lead actress delivering a tour de force performance that brings Kelly-Anne's complex character to life with haunting authenticity. "Red Rooms" is a fantastic entry in psychological thrillers genre, offering a chilling yet thought-provoking experience that will linger long after the credits have rolled.

This was right up my alley as it combined two of my obsessions; serial killers and computers.

A young model with a resemblance to a murdered teenage girl attends the trial of the suspected murderer. She meets a fellow courtroom enthusiast and they a join the maddening crowds at the spectacle.

The suspect is kept in a room within the courtroom and he is kept behind glass.

The model is an internet geek and soon learns of the dark web where supposed snuff films are available at auction for the right price. She hacks her way into that world in order to uncover the missing video of one of the victims.

Red Rooms is a realistic portrayal of the dangers of modern technology.

I saw 23 films at CIFF & this was my top pick. So thoroughly detailed, from the beginning (seemingly) 1-shot take, to how the story and characters are developed, to the 2 lead actresses (Juliette Gariépy, Laurie Babin) and the entire cast being so believable in their roles. I loved that instead of showing horrific gruesome scenes, you already know and hear the scenes just by seeing the 2 actresses act with their eyes and faces. The depiction of the dark web & related online conversations seems incredibly real. I'm not on the dark web but have been actively engaged since the mid-90s with how people speak online especially using anonymous usernames. The ending did cause intense excited conversations between my friends & I, as to exactly the personality and motives of the main character. As a side note, my friends & I met the director Pascal Plante at CIFF & he was so friendly & humble. I've noticed that the films we enjoyed the most were by the directors who were incredibly humble about their work. Anyhow, this film kept us engaged with every single second.

Elegantly haunting, this film takes a refreshing angle on the serial killer genre and elevates it via subtlety and a sharp, slow knife.

Kelly-Anne is a mysterious lead, as we are taken into her strange and unique world of glamour, gambling, obsession and psychopathy. Accompanied by a fellow, more innocent, 'fan', the two decide to go to the trial of a suspected monster each day out of a morbid sense of curiosity.

There are mesmerising little avenues this film meanders down to keep you gripped, but it's almost impossible to predict the finale. It's a truly refreshing, if gently horrific, take on the dark thriller, as it turns out that it's not just the ones with the blade to look out for, it's also the ones with a keyboard.

This is cerebral, clever, and it is at its scariest when it's at its most direct. This is a film that will stay with you for quite a while. If you want a cheap thrill, don't bother - but if you want something that pushes boundaries in a 'less is more' kind of way - give this a go. Just don't say I didn't warn you ...