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The acting is necessarily broad, although each performer is able to add moments of earthy emotion in even the most silly or violent moment. Wasikowska is a feisty heroine, more interesting when she's being herself than transforming into a seemingly supernatural superhero (never forget that this is based on a puppet show). Herriman has a much more difficult role as a monster with almost no redeeming features at all, and yet the actor gives him a few oddly warm moments along the way.

The plot trajectory is frustrating, because Foulkes keeps sending the film in directions that feel unnecessary or repetitive. So the mid-section drags badly. The feminist angle is pushy ("Tomorrow the witch might be you!"), complete with public executions based on flimsy evidence. More resonant is the idea of living with the fear of being different. And clever touches knowingly wrestle with this, including witty wordplay, amusing sight gags and plenty of superb puppetry.

themes, language, violence

19.Sep.19

These things are all smartly imagined and intriguingly well played-out on the screen, but they aren't particularly revelatory. There's also the issue that what this couple goes through feels rather generic rather than specific. Tom becomes obsessed with his work, as Gemma discovers her maternal instincts. Both feel trapped in their roles. The child rebels and questions his identity until tables are turned and the parents begin to question theirs.

Poots and Eisenberg play this beautifully, maintaining a naturalism even in this fake setting. Watching them waste away is shocking, as the strain of whatever this "game" is takes a massive toll on them. Even when they get the chance to peek behind the curtain, as it were, the answers aren't quite clear. But the filmmaking is skilful and visually impressive. So even if the ultimate message is somewhat bleak, it's not the kind of movie we're likely to forget soon.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

7.Oct.19 lff

Hammer gives a marvellously full-bodied performance as Will, who is such a nice guy that no one has ever questioned him. And he has certainly never questioned himself until now. Taking life for granted is the American way, and he has certainly mastered that. The characters around him are all vividly well-played, authentic people whose stories aren't quite in this movie. This leaves a lot of questions hanging in the air, but the actors are skilled at hinting at their own odysseys without spelling them out for us.

Along with the offbeat approach to staging, which adds a truthful clumsiness to the action, the film features a lot of psychological nuttiness. Scenes echo each other to vivid effect, as events swirl around signifying an intriguing intent we may never fully understand. Which of course is another telling way to read this film: as a parable about how we seek deeper meaning in life. In other words, there may be arthouse depth to it, but that doesn't mean it's not downright terrifying.

themes, language, violence, drugs

4.Oct.19 lff