Danger S
It's not even bad in an entertaining way, it's just bad.
The protagonist is profoundly, unbelievably stupid. Everyone's dialogue sounds like it was made up by a hermit who could only imagine how humans talk. And the office she works doesn't make any sense.
oh god, and the way she cries is the most ridiculous acting I've ever seen in my life.
Everything about this movie is fucking terrible. People repeat the same lines, but it's not clever, it's just very uncreative.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
03/18/24
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Diamond W
Many say this movie is not for everyone and I concur. If you are not hostile to imperfect story-telling though, there are many enjoyable moments here.
For instance, if you like drinking games you can drink every time a character says,
"What the f@ck?!" or "What the f@ck is wrong with you?!", you will get wasted. Everyone wants to know "what is going on" with the hero (or Hera). On the first viewing it was annoying, on the second run through it was like being tickled against my will. Flaws can become endearing.
The symbolism and relationships are extremely blurry, but ultimately satisfying if you have the patience to carefully parse.
Ava Rose Kinard is convincing and enjoyable as she swings from feigning confidence to being gleefully unhinged or desperately confused.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/31/23
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Rachael W
What On Earth???what a weird pointless film
This is Not a horror , it just had some girl screaming the whole time. do not waste your time on this film honestly.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
08/19/23
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Michele L
Pollen is a super weird little indie loosely resembling the movies 'Little Shop Of Horrors' and 'Sunlight, Junior'. It had me hooked as soon as I saw the previews. If you aren't an indie person who likes themes twisted to a weird angle, then this isn't for you. If you are an introvert whose fave activity is chilling at home alone with a quirky movie (and a plant baby or two), then this is for you. The main character is either a misfit dork, or a sweet young woman overwhelmed by coworkers criticisms at work who just doesn't quite know how to fit in, depending on your point of view. I had the exact same situation happen to me with a hard@$$ female supervisor as 'Hera' does with her supervisor 'Lori'. Hauled into the Breakout Room and ripped to pieces. We never know if the weird things that are happening in this movie are all in her mind, or if there are some really sinister plants out there bent on taking over the world. If you love plants and have some of your own, you will be intrigued by this movie and enjoy every minute. But don't turn your back on your plant children. One of them might be an evil foster plant bent on world dominion!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/31/23
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Brad P
While the metaphor doesn't fully work by the film's end, Pollen still delivers a chilling take on the rape-revenge film wrapped in an indictment of toxic corporate work culture.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
06/28/23
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Frank L
"Pollen" unfolds as a haunting tale, shrouded in enigma and foreboding, following the journey of Hera, a determined young woman seeking to ascend the treacherous rungs of the corporate ladder. However, Hera's path takes a chilling turn when she becomes a victim of a sinister act, her innocence shattered by the touch of her malevolent boss. As Hera fights to salvage her shattered career, a sense of inexplicable dread begins to seep into every facet of her existence, infiltrating not only her workplace and sanctuary but also the ethereal realm of her dreams. The movie seems to be dripping in symbolism. Would not classify it as horror. The intro song from Liana Flores - Rises the moon has a reference to the daffodil (Yellow Narcissus). This flower symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. It's one of the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter, announcing the beginning of spring and signifying the end of the cold, dark days. Less commonly, daffodils may also symbolize creativity, energy, resilience, forgiveness, and vitality. Next, we have pollen, a powdery substance produced by flowers. It contains tiny grains that carry male gametes, or sperm cells. These grains have a protective coating and travel from the male to the female parts of plants. When they land on a compatible female structure, they grow a tube to transfer the sperm cells. If you watch closely enough, you will see that this makes sense. Cannot go into detail here. Spoiler alert! However, the longer you watch the better it gets. As the runtime is only 86 minutes, I believe you have to stick around to the end. This movie will not bore you. It also shows how horrible people can be. It's a warning that shows the serious issues of sexual assault, toxicity in the workplace, and trauma. Pollen amplifies the horrors that take place too often in corporate America and shows audiences these monsters in a very literal sense. The movie also showcases the talent of Ava Rose Kinard, making her remarkable feature film debut as the lead character Hera, brilliantly portraying both the joys of success and the depths of trauma. For those prepared for its intense subject matter, "Pollen" guarantees an unforgettable and impactful viewing experience. A very solid 7/10. And a strong recommendation to go and watch this movie and have patience.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
06/13/23
Full Review
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