not a huge fan of supposed 'horror' films but this one appealed
one reviewer suggesting more a modern day kind of twilight zone
another stating scarlett johansson in exemplary form so that sealed it
the anxiety levels flickering as lights dimmed and the unknown journey began
opening scenes of planets or machines or spacecraft merging - bright and stark
a bold statement that we are heading into the realms of science fiction and ok with that
back on planet earth a powerful motorcycle is being expertly ridden at high speed
the rider disembarking precisely to retrieve a woman's body and transfer to a van
we then see ms j in a sterile room stripping the body of clothing and identity
nothing too unsettling yet and no more in the following scenes in the city
she wanders the crowds and drives a van around eyeing up single men
using a ploy of asking for directions she lets go any with family waiting
hidden cameras in the van supposedly used to film actual encounters
the broad scottish accent indecipherable in several of her targets
finally she picks up a proud loner and cleverly charms him
takes him back to her place and science fiction is back in play
she woos her now nude victim who enters a black (liquid) hole
the musical score now steps up - piercing, jabbing violins at the fore
me - entraced - eyes fixed on the screen and excited by the obscurity
next scene sees ms j on a rugged scottish beach observing a surfer
as he emerges she questions him and he too is a loner and thus perfect
but nature intervenes and he is called to rescue a man and woman in trouble
the pounding surf and rocks overwhelming them and their would be rescuer
he manages to scramble to shore and severely weakened is now ripe for the taking
ms j seen struggling to drag his body away and we know a similar fate awaits him
the mystery motorcyclist makes a return to mop up the scene of the crime
so far everything about this film is enticing, convincing and seductive
not the least being the powerful role of the stunning scarlett j
most exciting is that the director has absolute free reign
just as one of the victims i am as good as taken - clever
i sat there thinking - what if - why not - people do disappear
but the film is also about the strange behaviour of the human race
scenes inside a nightclub with strobe lights and loud, pulsating music
ms j clearly confused by this activity but it throws up another victim
leading to more exposure of the black hole and the live embalming of the men
this far more scary than any violence seen in any other film - and music to match
the director indulging in full use of technology in these scenes inside the clear liquid
but it's not over yet - ms j picks up a sad case of a badly disfigured young man
elephant man it is - but beautifully she doesn't see him other than a human being
which absolutely floors him and us the audience - man this film is a cracker
we know it's going to end badly for him but their's more surprises in store
the film turns and ms j is now weakened by too much human contact
the motorcyclist now a gang and in pursuit of their companion
stunning scenes of machines at speed on winding roads
she trapped in the scottish hinterland and struggling to survive
a conclusion is imminent but as expected not what is expected
least to say the alien life form is finally revealed but all too sadly
there's fire and smoke and snow and bleakness in the mix
as the credits roll there's also a stunned and silent audience
i am totally transfixed and reading every credit i can
but mainly - mica levi - composer and music leader
if there's a soundtrack available i'm owning it
ditto - michel faber - author of the book
amazing film - completely overwhelming
early call but surely a festival highlight
we shall see...
