Phoenix Rising

If you've ever been in an abusive relationship, you will feel and understand every second of this documentary. Chilling, real, and honest. Thank you Evan for making this and coming forward and working so hard for change. In Canada (where I am), we don't have a stature of limitation on abuse and it's sickening that some places do. I am 7 years out of my abusing relationship and I still struggle and it took me years to not feel the guilt and shame that the relationship caused me.

A chilling documentary on an age-old problem, domestic violence. What grabs our attention is that both people in the couple involved are famous. If you can get past the name recognition you will see all the telltake signs of classic abuse: grooming, honeymoon period, isolation, escalation from verbal to physical abuse, gaslighting, threats and a tremendous power imbalance. It would be mundane were it not so horrifying.

As usual, we have reviews here that are not discussing the contents of the film. The fact is that if the accused is not guilty of what is alleged, he must say that there was no basis for anything in his art and in his autobiography, whereas everything his accuser says is backed up by everything he has in his music, his videos and his own published account of his life and mental state. I believe her because I believe him. If the accusations are not true, he has hurt himself by spontaneously creating this preponderance of evidence for over a decade and then disavowing it when suddenly people actually took him at his word.

Brave, poignant and extremely important viewing for today's society that struggles with an enormous amount of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse in every level of society. No one is immune and Evan Rachel Wood rips herself wide open to expose just how true this is even as an A list Hollywood actor dating a rock icon. Victims are shamed and slandered while abusers are often given all the rights due to extremely outdated laws and a corrupt criminal justice system. Evan has helped change this through speaking out. It takes an enormous amount of backbone, integrity and strength to stand up and speak out about this kind of thing after being systematically tortured, isolated, manipulated, abused, harassed and controlled. It is a targeted demantling of your entire soul, carefully crafted so slowly by the narcissist who has selected you, groomed you and put you up on the highest pedastal during the love bombing and future faking process only to suddenly drop you down to the fires of hell where you are tortured and laughed at, mocked and devalued. It's difficult to explain unless you have lived it. I have, I was almost killed by my ex narcissist abuser and the criminal justice system failed me in a big way with 19 charges being dropped on technicalities, then refusing to arrest him over and over despite him reoffending while on conditions and allowing him to not appear in court 6 times without any consequences.

He has now moved on to abuse new victims and still hasn't been rearrested even while on probation. He is similar to Manson but on a smaller scale....being a metal drummer for a band with some small time success in the late 90s and early 2000s and a Psychic medium in our state. He preys on vulnerable empathic women in exactly the same way, he even uses some of the same phrases which was triggering for me to watch. I have an enormous amount of respect for this woman for standing up to her abuser and speaking her truth. Facts and evidence don't lie. This film takes you through the heartbreaking journey with her in shocking detail. I stand with Evan Rachel Woods. Heartbreaking but must see film. Thank You Evan.

A documentary of this nature (psychological/sexual abuse) is always going to provoke strong opinions. As long as the viewer understands what "Phoenix Rising" is--and what it isn't--it can be appreciated.

For a very basic overview, this doc tells the story of Evan Rachel Wood, an actress probably most famous for her current role on the HBO hit "Westworld". Wood details how, after beginning a relationship with Brian Warner (also known as Marilyn Manson), she was "groomed" by him, or sexually and psychologically tormented for many years. After escaping the relationship, Wood becomes a strong advocate for legislation that promotes a longer statute of limitations for women to pursue prosecution against their abusers.

For the most part, "Phoenix Rising" is Wood's harrowing tale of how Warner brutalized her (physically and emotionally). Some of the descriptions are truly not for the faint of heart. I have absolutely no doubts that she was subjected to intense torment at his hands. In almost every sense, Warner deserves to be investigated and vetted for everything Wood accuses him of, as if true it constitutes severe abuse (if not outright domestic slavery, at times).

That being said, "Phoenix Rising" is very much Wood's story--not a comprehensive account of relationship violence as a whole. For example, I think a reasonable assumption can be made that there might exist some personal/familial factors that contributed towards Wood's long-term association with Manson. Again, that isn't to say that I distrust anything Wood is bringing to the table here--only that we are only getting her interpretations of events here and we're all sort of the hero of our own story. The fact that no introspection exists here from Wood was a bit disappointing--it's all about going after Warner.

There are also a few times where "Phoenix Rising" is downright manipulative. For example, Wood's fractured parental structure is played for sympathy, while Warner's similar upbringing is used to demonize him. This doc really doesn't play fair, in that aspect, and Warner is such an easy target that such subtle stylings easily go unnoticed.

Overall, "Phoenix Rising" ends up being a solid--and often heartbreaking--documentary. A story that deserves to be told, to be certain. However, it isn't spectacular because of how manipulative it can be narrative-wise and--fairly or unfairly--how it doesn't present any introspection or bird's-eye view of the entire situation.

It was horrifying & shocking to see what Ms. Wood endured at the hands of her abuser, but awe-inspiring to learn how she channeled her energies into helping other survivors. Pushing to change archaic laws with arbitrary statues of limitation is a cause that will help countless victims of crimes. Shining a light on abusers by both naming them & outlining their tactics will help prevent future victims from being preyed upon. Knowledge truly is power.

The backlash from this film will undoubtedly open wounds both new & old, and the path will continue to be difficult to walk. I sincerely hope that Ms. Wood can take heart knowing that her strength has inspired & empowered others. I hope she can heal, live her life on her own terms, and continue bringing amazing things into this world. Shalom aleichem.