Perpetrator

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1:40

Perpetrator

Released Sep 1, 2023

1h 40m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

30%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Jonny Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan) is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone). On her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator.

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Critics Consensus

A smartly ambitious supernatural thriller, Perpetrator blends an assortment of genres and influences into a bloody good time.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Jonny’s refusal to become anyone’s victim makes the themes brought up in this genre-defiant film a cut above the rest.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 7, 2023

Full Review

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

This is the kind of movie where, at any moment, the editor might throw in an insert shot of an oozing orifice, keeping viewers on their toes.

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

It’s not always clear what the movie is trying to say, but even its misfires are more interesting than most because of what Reeder and her stars bring to their characters.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 1, 2023

Full Review

Paul Klein

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

At times one suspects it's an audience of one: Jennifer Reeder herself, sat in a darkened theatre with a wry smirk.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 20, 2025

Full Review

Brittany Patrice Witherspoon

Pop Culture Reviews

While there are some creative elements to the script, there are more problems than achievements holding Perpetrator back from being the kind of film that could take this industry by storm.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 26, 2024

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Although not as formally adventurous as Knives and Skin, with Perpetrator, just like that film Reeder’s singular voice comes through.

Feb 13, 2024

Full Review

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Heather D

Went in blind without even reading the description. This is a very abstract, ambiguous movie. It drops you into a world without explaining anything. The subtle approach is what makes me like it so much. You’ll have no idea what’s going on, but you’ll want to keep watching to find out.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

Full Review

J. E. N

Unwatchable. I have no idea how someone with a functioning camera pointed at talented actors even managed to fail this badly.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Cj P

Absolutely horrible and unwatchable

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

Hugo S

"Perpetrator" is a body horror movie focused on a teen girl gifted with mystic powers. When several girls go missing at school, the girl decides to embark on the dangerous quest of uncovering the truth behind these mysterious disappearances. An experimental and weird movie portraying some of the social issues faced by women, especially the obsession with eternal youth. Amazing performance from Alicia Silverstone!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

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Sevin D

Worst movie EVER. Boring and slow with no flow. Total incomprehensible garbage. 100 minutes wasted...Ugh

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Loa L

Everything about this movie eccentric - especially characters - for eccentric's sake. This serial abductor/killer drama is too much wrapped around idea of a girl having magical empathy ability to the point where it doesn't make much symbiotic correlation between the two. As a result, point(s) of the movie feel(s) blurred and unspecified enough.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/23

Full Review

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Jennifer Reeder

Director

Josh Bywater

Sterling

Avery Holliday

Poppy

Casimere Jollette

Aviva

Sasha Kuznetsov

Kirk

Melanie Liburd

Jean

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Perpetrator: Trailer 1

1:40

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Synopsis

Jonny Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan) is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone). On her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator.

Director: Jennifer Reeder
Producer: Derek Bishe, Gregory Chambet
Screenwriter: Jennifer Reeder
Distributor: Shudder
Production Co: Divide/Conquer, WTFilms
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2023
Runtime: 1h 40m

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