VIOLATION (2020)
Label: Acorn Media
Region Code: A,B
Duration: 108 Minutes
Rating: Cert 18
Audio: English DTS-HD MA with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1)
Director: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli
Cast: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Anne Maguire, Obi Abili, Jesse LaVercombe
In the meditative rape-revenger Violation (2020), a Shudder original, Miriam (Madelaine Sims-Fewer) is a young woman ia married to Caleb (Obi Abili) but their marriage is on the rocks for never quite explained reasons. They're driving from the city back to her hometown in a remote area Canada to hang with her younger sister Greta (Anne Maguire) and brother-in-law Dylan (Jesse LaVercombe). While staying at a lakeside cabin the couples spend a fun day together and then gather around a campfire for an evening drinking and talking. When her sister and her hubby retire for the night Miriam is left alone with Dylan, she has a good rapport with him and they both get a bit flirty each other. At one point things get slightly carried and they share a kiss, but both cool their jets right away realizing it's wrong. However, what starts as tiny drunken error of judgement later leads to a Dylan violating her while she sleeps, it's an act that will have lasting effects for both. Miriam is stunned by what's transpired and attempts to warn her sister about what kind of man her husband is, but deep-seated sibling issues between them prevent her from hearing the truth, and she blames Miriam for encroaching on her man. Some time later feeling there's no other option Miriam sets out on a path of retribution that is detailed and planned to the nth degree, but even the best laid plans of mice and men are fraught with unforeseen issues, as does this rape-revenge story.
In the meditative rape-revenger Violation (2020), a Shudder original, Miriam (Madelaine Sims-Fewer) is a young woman ia married to Caleb (Obi Abili) but their marriage is on the rocks for never quite explained reasons. They're driving from the city back to her hometown in a remote area Canada to hang with her younger sister Greta (Anne Maguire) and brother-in-law Dylan (Jesse LaVercombe). While staying at a lakeside cabin the couples spend a fun day together and then gather around a campfire for an evening drinking and talking. When her sister and her hubby retire for the night Miriam is left alone with Dylan, she has a good rapport with him and they both get a bit flirty each other. At one point things get slightly carried and they share a kiss, but both cool their jets right away realizing it's wrong. However, what starts as tiny drunken error of judgement later leads to a Dylan violating her while she sleeps, it's an act that will have lasting effects for both. Miriam is stunned by what's transpired and attempts to warn her sister about what kind of man her husband is, but deep-seated sibling issues between them prevent her from hearing the truth, and she blames Miriam for encroaching on her man. Some time later feeling there's no other option Miriam sets out on a path of retribution that is detailed and planned to the nth degree, but even the best laid plans of mice and men are fraught with unforeseen issues, as does this rape-revenge story.
Rape-revengers are not new, there are many, but this one has an indie arthouse vibe to it that sets it apart, shot with plenty of slow-motion images of nature, trees and a wolf eating a rabbit in the woods, providing some stark imagery and a sense of foreboding. I did think that the non-chronological way it bounces about was a bit off-putting, but it stills packed quite a wallop for me. The strength and heart of the film is the committed performance from Madeleine Sims-Fewer as Miriam who begins to unravel after the betrayal by her brother-in-law and cold abandonment by her sister. She's pretty great and you can feel the character's devastation, confusion and anguish, it pulls you in as it repulses you at the same time. Another highlight and the well-planned and pretty gruesome ways she sets out to rid the world of the rapey douche who has done her dirty, it's quite exquisite and brutal retribution, but also not one without repercussion. This is a solidly gut-punching slow-burn, and one that lingered in my thoughts for days after watching it, but it's also not a film I think I would revisit anytime soon as it's pretty grim - and not fun in a 'lets re-watch this' sort of way, but I would easily put it in a Top 10 rape-revenger list alongside Ms. 45, I Spit On Your Grave, Revenge and A Promising Young Woman.
Special Features:
- Meet the Filmmakers
- Toronto International Film Festival Intro
- Meet the Filmmakers
- Toronto International Film Festival Intro
The Blu-ray from Acorn Media International looks and sounds great in 1080p HD with uncompressed audio, sadly the only extras are a pair of short intro from various festivals by co-directors Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli that are pretty breezy and don't shed much light on anything.
