Red Rooms (2024) : "A True Crime Thriller That fails in Story telling"

 

Directed by: Pascal Plante

Cast: Juliette Gariepy, Laurie Babin, Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Natalie Tannous, Pierre Chagnon, Guy Thauvette

Produced by: Dominique Dussault

Music by: Dominique Plante

Cinematography: Vincent Biron

Genre: Thriller, Psychological Drama

Language: French, English

Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes

Release Date: 2024-08-28

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Plot

The film delves into the unsettling world of Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariepy), a fashion model obsessed with the courtroom trial of Ludovic Chevalier (Maxwell McCabe-Lokos), a man accused of gruesome crimes involving teenage girls. As Kelly-Anne immerses herself in the case, her mysterious motivations and compulsions come to light, blurring the lines between voyeurism, obsession, and self-destruction.

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Performances

• Juliette Gariepy: Captures Kelly-Anne’s eerie detachment and dark intrigue with a controlled yet enigmatic performance.
• Laurie Babin: Portrays Clementine’s unsettling fixation and youthful vulnerability with conviction.
• Maxwell McCabe-Lokos: Haunts the screen as the silent and enigmatic Ludovic Chevalier, maintaining an unsettling presence throughout.

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Technical Aspects

• Cinematography: Vincent Biron’s use of stark whites and sterile visuals mirrors the cold detachment of the protagonist’s world.
• Music: Dominique Plante’s score underpins the film with an ominous and eerie tone.
• Production Design: The minimalist spaces heighten the psychological tension, reflecting the emptiness of the characters.

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Strengths

• Unique approach to the true crime genre.
• Psychological tension built through subtle performances.
• Effective use of atmosphere and suggestion rather than graphic violence.

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Weaknesses

• Ambiguity around Kelly-Anne’s motivations leaves gaps in the narrative.
• Pacing issues and underdeveloped subplots like gambling and cryptocurrency.
• The unexplained symbolism of Kelly-Anne wearing a school dress in court feels out of place and distracting.

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My Personal Take on Cinema

Red Rooms is a film that dares to explore the dark underbelly of humanity’s obsession with true crime and moral decay. Pascal Plante’s restrained direction, combined with Juliette Gariepy’s unsettling performance, creates an atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. While the film’s reliance on suggestion over gore works brilliantly, the narrative’s final twist feels underdeveloped. Nevertheless, the psychological tension and moral ambiguity make this a thought-provoking experience.

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Rating:2/5