Effigy

Effigy caught my attention for its atmosphere. While I didn't fully absorb the story on my first viewing, its aesthetic and tone stood out. Cairns sets the story in Tokyo but doesn't allow the locale to overshadow the narrative. Themes of greed, detachment, and exploitation weave through the uncanny atmosphere. The language choices, performances, and nighttime settings all heighten the sense of disconnection, with palpable schisms between even physically close characters. We are invited to decipher not only what is said but also what is shown and what is meant. This ambiguity adds a layer of tension and complexity to the film. I prefer to digest films slowly rather than being overwhelmed by an overt message-or lack thereof-and Effigy definitely gave me plenty to ruminate on.

One of the most striking elements was the audio. The layers and textures, combined with droning soundscapes, conveyed an atemporal sense-as if time itself was being blurred. This auditory choice deepened the film's atmosphere, making it easy to lose track of time. That said, the day/night cycles felt significant. They highlighted the contrast between the waking world and the quiet, unsettling stillness of night, contributing to the film's themes of isolation and disconnection.

While Effigy includes subtle nods to 90s J-horror, it deftly avoids the overused tropes of that genre. Its more reflective, unsettling tone and imagery reminded me of films like Under the Skin and Audition, as well as Yoko Ogawa's book The Diving Pool and East of the Sun, West of the Moon. The film's budget is noticeable at times, but it manages to create an intriguing atmosphere, with motifs and motivations that invite further contemplation.

Effigy is a complex, layered film about a descent into madness involving a cursed object. I noticed echoes of early horror films (Renfield from Dracula was one I thought about) but with modern well-crafted visuals. Lighting, shadows, angles and effects are all strong points. My interest was drawn in with the elements of Japanese, English(American) and Swedish, but with a setting of modern Tokyo. I enjoyed my second viewing from noticing details of foreshadowing, and after thinking about the film for a week or so. I think it's a good accompaniment/lead-in to the Halloween season (viewed Sep-Oct 2024).

This film lives on the power of its unnerving vibe. Not a jump scare movie. This is a patient horror train, taking you on a volatile journey towards true alienation. So I would say this one requires the right mood to fully appreciate. It is a meticulously crafted micro-budget film. It is without compromise: a Lynchian story, deep diving into a troubled translator's unravelling psyche in a surreal Tokyo as her cruelty turns outwards.. This film will challenge viewers to engage on its terms. There's layers to explore here and ambiguous elements to process. It's one of those films where your mind can fill in the shadow corners in a completely different way with subsequent viewing- this could be interpreted as either a strength or a weakness depending upon who you are- or how you feel. The pace of it is slow and hypnotic.. This allows it to inject its anxious energy in a subliminal way. Staying with it however, revealed a highly original and sadistic story. The ending hits with confident panache. A dark puzzle box of a film that is undoubtedly niche and delivers on the nightmares.

Effigy blends art-house and horror elements well and has a plot that effectively explains things that would normally be hindrances in other independent films and uses them to its full narrative advantage. The film prioritizes atmosphere over sheer shock value, building an eerie, unsettling ambiance that leads to its conclusion. It's a unique approach that distinguishes it from mainstream horror flicks.

The protagonists' psychological state and the immersive settings contribute significantly to this sense of unease, Effigy isn't just about scaring you with immediate threats; it's about drawing you into a world where the very fabric of reality feels uncertain and off-kilter.

Creepy imagery fills the screen, as a story within a story unfolds. Set in Japan, with Swedish characters, the plot is mesmerizing, disorienting, dark and fascinating. Something about translating a children's story, but that's just the starting point for an image-driven trip down the rabbit hole. This is an ambiguous character study open to interpretation. I enjoyed the strangeness of it all. It's unconventional and unique, choosing not to explain every action. This is a movie that does not follow a formula; it clearly has its own rhythm and style. The unsettling sound design adds to the mood, while the cool animation supports the sub-textual narrative. If you like independent thrillers, and are open to connecting the dots, check out EFFIGY.