Anna R
This movie was good but you have to understand the premise of it. NOT A Spoiler DONT WORRY. The movie explores philosophical questions regarding existence. The woman in the film is a psychiatrist; not a psychologist. Psychiatrists tend to be analytical, while psychologists work with feelings and life-views. This is a small plot hole to ignore, because she would have been responsible for prescribing the child medication, alongside his therapist , who would be doing the work seen in the film.
After a random tragedy, she cannot stop her brain from trying to make sense of it. Even though she states that her beliefs are that the mind is the root of all sickness and suffering, even scoffs at the idea of discussing it, because she's so certain, she doesn't realize how much of her own suffering is caused by her inability to accept that she cannot control certain life outcomes.
Watch the movie with that in mind. Notice all of the times she could just walk away, without trying to analyze, understand, and change things. From there, the movie will be enjoyable and the ending won't feel as much like a disappointment.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
08/23/23
Full Review
Chris J
MOVIE REVIEW
Marionette
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Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Year Released: 2021
Runtime: 1h 52m
Director(s): Elbert van Strien
Writer(s): Ben Hopkins, Elbert van Strien
Cast: Thekla Reuten, Elijah Wolf, Emun Elliott, Sam Hazeldine
Where To Watch: Streaming now, visit www.thehorrorcollective.com for more information
RAVING REVIEW: In the film MARIONETTE, Dutch director Elbert van Strien introduces us to a child psychologist embarking on a new career in a remote Scottish village. Her patient, a shy yet mysterious boy, asserts he can uniquely manipulate people's destinies. Initially, the boy's claim seems like the product of a troubled mind, but the plot soon thickens into a dangerous game that challenges the therapist's fragile psyche.
This film was inspired by Van Strien's 1993 short film, The Marionette World; his acute eye for detail crafts a multifaceted cinematic journey that will challenge you. The film's solid performances by Thekla Reuten and Elijah Wolf elevate it even while the pacing isn't consistent. The almost two-hour runtime demands unwavering attention from the audience, particularly during the 2nd act, to appreciate its full scope. If you miss some moments, it can change the entire feeling of the film.
MARIONETTE is a daring venture, as Van Strien skillfully mixes various genres from creepy children, asylum physicians, and twists set against this eerie and foreboding Scottish landscape. Despite some clichéd moments, the acting manages to save any struggles that the larger narrative may have.
Exploring more intricate themes like fate, destiny, and the supernatural, the film's young protagonist, Manny (Elijah Wolf,) is fascinating and unsettling, thanks to his eerie drawing style and mysterious presence. Although MARIONETTE's structure could use some fine-tuning – it takes time to gain momentum and, in doing so, presents a surfeit of twist towards the end – Van Strien delivers a psychological thriller that effectively keeps the audience questioning their understanding of reality.
The film's neo-Gothic visual style showcases impressive artistry from all involved. The primary location, a Victorian building, plays off the stark contrasts of light and shadow, creating an ambiance befitting a psychological thriller. MARIONETTE delves into the concept of destiny and self-fulfilling prophecies. I wish that there had been more focus on the background behind why these aspects were so important.
Despite its shortcomings, MARIONETTE presents a thought-provoking exploration of questions and the nature of reality. Thekla Reuten and Elijah Wolf's powerful performances intensify the tension.
MARIONETTE is a bold psychological thriller that, while not without its flaws, provides an immersive and atmospheric viewing experience. The movie's dark, claustrophobic setting and the compelling performances create a suspenseful examination of the world around us and what we think we know.
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Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
05/05/23
Full Review
Hugo S
A child psychiatrist moves to Scotland after her husband's death, hoping to start a new life. Manny, one of the new patients, is able to foresee and control her future. All subsequent events always result in pain and death. "Marionette" approaches the evil child subgenre with great performances. However, the final act implodes the plot with an awkward twist immersed in philosophical riddles. It could have been a great movie if it had taken a different direction.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/09/23
Full Review
Saffron S
I went into this movie, completely blind, expecting a slasher film, about a killer Muppet or something, but I came out philosophically challenged. Schrödinger's cat is frequently mentioned in this, a stupid and narcissistic thought experiment that never made any sense to me. However, the cat is almost a red herring in this mind bender of a film. It's dark, it's dream like it's not a traditional horror. It is definitely a "elevated horror" in the way that the scary bits take place in the meaning and your own perception of the film rather than any jumps or thrills. Perfect with a pot of tea on a rainy afternoon.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/26/23
Full Review
Audience Member
At first, I enjoyed this movie. It intrigued me. It teased me with Schrodinger's cat motifs and quasi-religious ponderings. It teased me with anti-theistic vindictive deity themes. And then it became a maudlin, pseudo-intellectual exercise in shallow reflections on free will, stories, and multiverses that absolutely 100% craps the bed. If you want a sacharine tale involving dead husbands and adorable, orphaned little moppets, this is your movie. The end just...ugh. So hokey.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A really good film that kept me interested and intrigued on many levels. Highly recommend.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
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