Violett

It's nothing new under the sun. It is indeed horror but more of a psychological horror than a supernatural although they did manage to incorporate some supernatural elements and even a nod at the Disney show white witch trying to convince someone to eat the apple. That could have also been interpreted as eating the apple could open your eyes and make you see what's really happening like the garden of Eden. Anyway I actually didn't see the ending coming as you end up getting faked out not once, not twice, but three times and when you realize what really happened everything makes so much more sense. A movie with a plot and an ending. The build up was a little bit of a slow burn but once the ball gets rolling it rolls right up until the ending credits. I also would like to point out the over saturation of colors and the makeup used to convey emotion were fascinating. It's worth a watch for sure.

I labeled my review misunderstood because I misunderstood. I deleted my original review. What my original review got correct was the film is disturbing and disorienting. What I didn't realize was just how much so. This was a well done slowburn. Don't make the same mistake I did and have patience. If you do you'll understand how dark, demented, and twisted this really was. I thought I was desensitized, but when I realized what actually happened I couldn't believe how cruel and evil people could be to each other. I didn't see it coming and now that I understand I have to say, well played!! Give it a watch.

Sonya plays a great role as an addicted and sorrowful mother, whose child Violett apparently gets kidnapped, as have other children in the town. This movie is also notable for the vibrant colors in the cinematography. There are flashbacks, showing as a child Sonya suffered from a rather stern and possibly violent father, making her childhood one more of horror than of a carefree childhood. She also has dreams, that are woven with reality such that one cannot be certain if what she sees is real or in a dream. She is clearly addicted to drugs, and has the look about her of an addict who forgoes eating for drugs. Her dear child Violett just never returned home from school, and that was the day Sonya didn't accompany her home. We see early glimpses of the joy she had in meeting and marrying Stan but that seemed to be replaced with a more exasperated Stan, who tries but cannot pierce her state of mind. This is not a joyful film, and just some of what Sonya goes through is enough horror for many. The pacing may seem slow, but it unwinds the many interwoven parts nicely.

This is the best movie ever inspired by Vincent van gogh's famous album cover for Black Sabbath. Over exposed grain also evokes some classic British folk horror. The lead actress method acting as a recovering heroin addict expecting at any moment to be punched in the face is effective on an unnerving level. The horror aficionados expecting linear slash n scream aren't getting the point of a technicolor Wisconsin death trip art film, but you can't blame them, it isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea. Would enjoy this directors take on different grindhouse genres, a little wicker man here, some Sam peckinpah there, maybe even a little ed wood just for giggles. Big budget wise I would give him a chance at a single ember zombie apocalypse, he's certainly found the actress for that.

First, it is a horror film. That is important because the expectations for a horror film are a lot more flexible than with other genres. An audience will give the creator more latitude, more flexibility, to achieve a result. Second, the creator, writer/Director Steven J. Mihaljevich, has a reputation as a maverick. That is, he does not offer the traditional linear narrative or traditional filmic exposition. He is all about jump cuts, scenes with limited, jarring dialog, and shocking images that come and go almost with a mind of their own. There is a story, of course, but it is presented as a puzzle, for the viewer to piece togather. Third, the detailed reviews offered here by members do not match the overall ratings for the film left by viewers who did not bother to leave a review. The reviews here are mainly 10's. The actual ratings, not so much. And fourth, in my time at IMDb, with over 2000+ reviews, the reviews left here are some of the most sophisticated "fake" reviews I have ever seen. They could win an essay contest. But they are not genuine. Conclusion? The final product is visually stunning in sections but not necessarily entertaining. Mainly for film students looking to see how far the medium can be bent before it breaks completely. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))