Red Pill

After seeing all the ten star reviews, I felt obligated to leave an unbiased one. There is no way the high reviews are from anyone but those associated with the movie or the actors in it.

Ok, so I just deleted everything else I wrote. I felt horrible being so honest. I know people work hard and it pains me to critique harshly. I'll say this, it is not a well made movie in any category, from editing to dialogue. You might find entertainment in the good bad movie aspect but I did not. The premise intrigued me and it could have been so much better. Watch Get Out instead if you want social commentary horror.

One positive thing I will write...I read that Ms Perkins is a celebrated stage actress. If this one of her early film directing and acting projects, then she has much room to improve and I wish her well.

I can't figure out what this film was intended to be. As social parody or identity politics allegory, it's as subtle as a jackhammer busting up concrete. As an entry in the horror genre, it doesn't really engage the viewer. I found it hard to identify with most of the victims given their personalities, although the cast did a good job with the roles they were given. Finally, insertion of old Nazi film clips just seems gratuitous. As a coda, I watched it the day after Trump announced he could "seek a third term", despite Constitutional restrictions. In that context, the film is pretty unsettling, but standing on its own, it could use some clarity in plot and setting.

I found this work to be an astute and entertaining comment on this moment -- both in terms of film and the nation state Clocking under two hours, it manages to tell a number of stories at a brisk pace.

While the horror genre lends itself to one anticipating outcomes, I was still surprised by the film's ending, as well as the endings of the characters -- many of whom I had grown to care for.

Admittedly, some images and circumstances echo other films in the genre, but Pinkin's story is puts those images and circumstance in service of greater questions about nation, race, and belonging. By the final, terrifying montage, I found myself reflecting on all that I had just seen.

I'm not a fan of horror films; there's enough horror in the world and this genre causes me so much anxiety. I watched Red Pill because I am such a Pinkins fan. It stunned me that this film was something of a cross between a great art house film and a scary but rivating commentary on the extremes of racism in America. What I found most interesting were the stretches of dialog that addressed so many realities of that racism. I have to applaud, as well, the reversal of roles, turning the white guy into the icky, misogynistic product of white supremacy. Nothing could be clearer on the whole history of this country than this film. And, yes, it was scary af! This is what a film by a Black writer/director can be when there are no whites to put their I-know-better-than-you-how-to-tell-your-story spin on it. Please, let us see more films by Black writers, directors, and producers.

An allegory sprung from contemporary culture and politics n the U. S. Poor acting, poor plot development, plot holes galore. To rate this a 10 is to do a disservice to filmmakers everywhere. Yes, it's interesting. But I am betting the majority of viewers will have forgotten this film in a day or two after having watched it. Nothing stands out and there is plenty that doesn't make sense. I'm sure the budget for this film was on the very low end and it shows from the beginning to end. The premise is terrific but it could have been developed into something much more cohesive and satisfying. I have to wonder how many of the ten star reviews are coming from the film makers and their friends, as well as employees.