disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

[Cannes 2021] MEDUSA -- An Alluring Genre Picture

7/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Review by Sean Boelman
Picture
Anita Rocha da Silveira’s Medusa is one of those daring festival discoveries that will divide audiences that see it. Benefitting from a strong directorial vision and some exceptional commentary, this is a fascinating genre film that signals da Silveira as someone to keep an eye on in the future.

The movie follows a young woman who, along with her friends, goes out on the streets at night to punish “sinners” who do not hold up their ideal of the perfect woman. It’s a coming-of-age film under the guise of a surreal thriller, but da Silveira does a wonderful job of developing both sides of the story.

What makes da Silveira’s movie so effective is the way in which she is able to lull viewers into this world. It’s a film that exists in a reality that feels slightly alternate to the one in which we live, although somehow it still reflects the real world in the scariest of ways. With this, the viewer will feel totally immersed for the entirety of the two hour runtime.

There is a very pronounced visual style to the movie that feels very established given that this is only da Silveira’s sophomore feature. The use of color is absolutely brilliant and goes a long way in building the uncanny atmosphere on which the film is so dependent. And the way in which the more violent scenes are shot is absolutely breathtaking.
Picture
Obviously, the movie is very heavily topical in the way in which it addresses misogyny and the patriarchy. The film’s commentary on how society holds women to a double standard isn’t something that should have to be said, but it does anyway, and da Silveira does an excellent job of it. The commentary on religion isn’t quite as developed, but it’s still thought-provoking as well.

The character development in the movie is absolutely fascinating. Although the protagonist’s arc of breaking free from the bounds of a society that treats her poorly isn’t the most original, it is still very compelling. And there are plenty of memorable supporting characters, from her friends to the leaders of the community.

Mari Oliveira’s performance in the leading role is quite strong. It’s fittingly mysterious in how it presents her, more emotional depth being added to her performance as the character changes over the course of the film. And in the supporting cast, there are some gloriously hammy players that fit right in.

There are a lot of things that are impressive about Medusa, but perhaps the best thing about it is how unabashedly confident it is. Some viewers may be off-put even though this is one of the most exciting genre movies so far this year.

Medusa screened at the Cannes Film Festival, which ran from July 7-17.

​Rating: 4/5
               
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About