hellraiser7

This is one of my favorites in the Body Horror subgenre of Horror, which is one I feel we have sorely missed for a long time. You can also say it's a holiday horror as this film further along takes place one "New Years Eve" which is cool as we don't have many horror films (at least good ones) that take place during that time. It fits with the story considering the meanings of the holiday are about rebirth, starting anew, and being your best self; though in this film's case it's the total opposite.

This film was a nice surprise for me as it's one of those films you don't see every day, which to me is a good thing because like any well sculpted statue of beauty it means it's a film made with time and care. The film is just rich and striking in the visuals but also at the same time rich and thought provoking in its substance which this film like an onion has plenty of layers of; making this one of those films you might have to watch more than once to uncover more than once. It also is the kind of film that would be good to show in a psychiatry class as there is plenty going on to analysis and study.

There is so much to say so I'll say what I can though my review can't do the film justice as this is also one of those films that are an experience you have to see for yourself to make your own interpretations.

The production value is up through the roof, from the practical effects which are impressive from makeup to the gore effects. Yes, there is gore for all you gorehounds, how much you'll just have to see for yourself, but you'll be thrilled. I really like the surrealness of the film from the amount of color and it's set pieces; it's never clear where in the film everything takes place, as it feels almost like a mix of decades from the 80, 90, to modern day. In a way it adds to the horror as the whole film in a way is like one big surreal nightmare.

I really like the performances from the actors, like Denis Quaid as Harvey. This is one of my favorite roles from him as it's rare for him to play the villain role. And he does it well, he's a villain you love to hate, or even just plain hate as he really loves pressing those wrong buttons. Despite not being in the film that long, what he says and does is impactful and memorable all the same. His character is kind of the big Hollywood producer stereotype but at it's absolute worst. Really like all the flashy suits he has which fit with his character as he's a complete hedonist as he's obsessed with beauty at a very unhealthy level and area.

The guy as we see is a complete slob and not in a good way, let's say even Bluto from "Animal House" would be grossed out by him. From the lunchtime scene, as he is eating not just disgustingly but also just an unhealthy amount of shrimp as we see the plate looks like a party platter. This just reflects on how disgusting a creature he really is as he not just mistreats others but also mistreats his own health.

Also, the guy is a total moron, he claims to be the person to appeal to the masses and know what true beauty is. In the lunchtime scene Elizabeth asks the question on "What stops?" and Harvey doesn't answer and looks like he struggling to, much like a slacker high school student that doesn't have the answer because he didn't work and study. From that moment it shows that he really doesn't know jack crap about much of anything but doesn't know what the people want except for himself and his creep investors.

But I really love the performances of both Demi Moore and newcomer Margeret Qualley. Demi Moore pretty much plays Elizabeth Sparkle (Yeah, I know though it could probably be a stage name), her character is sort of this famous aerobics instructor like Jane Fonda, Susan Powers, and any other from yesteryear you can think of. Really like that program that she's in which looks like the kind from the 80's or 90's, Demi looks as though she could easily have an aerobics series herself. Her character is sympathetic as she is a fading star that is desperate to get the fame back once more, despite the dire cost.

Margeret Qualley is really solid as Sue, I really like the dichotomist relationship between both Elizabeth and Sue and the conflict going on which I'll talk about latter along with the Sue character.

I really like the suspense and horror, not just in grossing us out which it does, but it has that sense of dread and doom. As things start to escalate and get out of control our concern for Elizabeth grows. We know the protagonist needs to get out as soon as possible, but the problem is it may already be too late, and the protagonist might not want to be saved.

As I said before, this film has lots of substance that tackles lots of issues with master visuals and performances.

One issue is addiction and binging. There is one scene where Sue looks at the chair which is facing the TV, and she notices a deep indentation. Not that it's a big deal but seeing that it tells you Elezabeth has clearly been binge watching.

That indentation you can tell is just a foreshadowing of what to come throughout the film. One of the things in the film is food, which is completely disgusting throughout the film, I'll admit I was off put to eat shrimp, poultry, and nacho cheese for a while after this film; let alone just glad I didn't eat or drink during the film.

Food really is an enemy in this film, we no doubt need it and it can be good. But like a lot of things, too much of it in fact of anything is never healthy as we see the characters overindulge in a lot of things from food to simply their obsession with fame and vanity and these things not just affect and deteriorate them physically but also mentally.

Also, simply how the hedonist and fame counterculture are hazardous to your health.

In the film names are important and are ironic in the film. From Elizabeth's last name, which clearly is based on her whole fame, pursuit and obsession throughout the film. But also, there is the name Sue which you can say goes with the name Mary Sue.

And that of course is a term for a person that achieves everything without effort. We see both Elezabeth and Sue have this dichotomous relationship throughout the whole film, where both are the same but also different at the same time. Sue really does have all the good parts to Elizabeth but also some of her negative aspects that Elizabeth possibly repressed for so long.

It's true we don't really know Elizabeth deeply but that's the point as she's a person that has a lifestyle but not a life; this is also true about Sue. It's part of the driving force behind her whole pursuit of everlasting fame, because in her mind her lifestyle is her life, without it she has nothing and is nothing. But also, she wants love in her life, but it's not the love of another but the admiration of the masses, to her this is her idea of what love is and with this one achieves immortality.

But this is incorrect as love from the masses is never genuine love from another, because it's a known fact that fame isn't forever, nor does it love back. This is shown at the beginning from Elizabeth's star on the walk of fame which we see as overtime was once admired is not just another name to simply pass by, but also the cracks that form from what was once a novelty.

There is also this hallway, in the beginning it's full of posters for Elezabeth throughout the years. But this is empty latter in the film for Sue's posters, you just know from this she'll going on the same path as Elizabeth and from this you know where the road leads. But also, both don't have any real love as we see Elizabeth has no one throughout the film to really confide in; for Sue there is one person but he's simply a one-night stand that doesn't really care for Sue as Sue, only what she represents.

Overall, the film has a good message and that's simply about self-care, how it's important to take care of yourself on the inside as well as the outside.

Everlasting beauty comes from within, not from without.

Rating: 4 stars.