This movie starts with a rape. The woman who’s attacked (Isabelle Huppert), goes into stealth mode, playing down the effects of this act of aggression. There are some notable parallels: she runs a company that creates violent video games and a relative is a serial killer. This film seems like it’s headed to a revenge narrative (it is directed by Paul Verhoven, who’s no stranger to sex and violence in his work), but expands into a compelling character study of a seemingly stable woman harboring a number of issues. Huppert is always fascinating to watch, even as the character seems to spiral in unexpected directions. It’s not exemplary, but it is an unusual, complex and interesting experience. French with subtitles. (Criterion Cinemas only)
(3.5 / 5)