Catherine Deneuve stars as a depressed manicurist in Roman Polanski's Repulsion, a harrowing portrait of a woman repulsed by sex for reasons the audience can only guess at (at least at first), and is visited by disturbing rape nightmares. To make matters worse, she's a beautiful woman in the 60s, so surrounded by men who want to get under her skirt, with good intentions and not. Psychological horror is rarely done in films, the need for a supernatural or psychotic monster usually wins the day. Here, we're presented with a quiet, mostly silent performance that speaks volumes about mental health. Deneuve's listless depression gives way to sudden upswings of nervous anxiety, both leading her to sabotage her life. She's in practically every scene, except when we move to a sort of locker room chorus that represents the misogyny she's up against. Sadly as topical today as it was in 1965.
Polanski. Immediate, awful taste in my mouth. Reminds me of everything bad and awful. Charles Manson. Rape. Paedophilia. And yes, he is a paedophile. This is undeniable.
Watching a work of art created by a criminal of a moral ranging from low to entirely unacceptable is always difficult and has to be done with a lot of caution, where it aligns with your morals and ethics. But on the other hand, so many artists of every kind have been outed having done reprehensible things, it becomes almost impossible to enjoy any creation if you do not wear the glasses of future past. We are trapped in the world of immorality, "wearing rose coloured glasses so that all the red flags look like flags."
Cancel culture does not exist, and there isn't a single person in the world who doesn't get new chances. Polanski, just like many other paedophile rapists, continues to receive honors and job offers from above, despite the very many vocal protests from the public.
The incredible irony is that the film "Repulsion" is about a woman terrorized by men, some of whom have her in some sort of power (like the landlord.) And perhaps even more ironic are the reviews written by men, speaking of the "decent admirer whose honest love might be exactly what she needs." It brings into the question whether everything we are seeing are her hallucinations, but being a woman myself, I really cannot help but experience everything in this movie as reality in some way or another, including the doubt that it brings into whether or not this is real - as this is something that us women are awfully familiar with on a mass scale.
Scrubbing all of that off of our brains, there is no denying that this film is highly influential. So many modern horror classics like "It Follows", "The Babadook" and "Hereditary" cite as having this film being one of the influences, where some influences are a lot more on the nose than others (rabbits and pigeons and wall hands, oh my.)
Hum... Disruptive...
Forewarning of Rosemary's Baby.
Inspired by Nouvelle Vague movies, with black and white photography and jazzy music.
Undoubtedly interesting, and scary!
I'm pretty sure Darren Aronofsky saw it before he shot Black Swan.
I saw this a few months ago. Didn't really rate the film although like kristenwiigs thought Deneuve's performance was noteworthy. However the film has stayed with me. Maybe it's better than I initially gave credit.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 24
leannan
One of the best films I've seen about sexual abuse. Horrifying and heartbreaking in equal doses.Dieguito
Fantastic!! Deneuve is brilliant and beautiful!Siskoid
Catherine Deneuve stars as a depressed manicurist in Roman Polanski's Repulsion, a harrowing portrait of a woman repulsed by sex for reasons the audience can only guess at (at least at first), and is visited by disturbing rape nightmares. To make matters worse, she's a beautiful woman in the 60s, so surrounded by men who want to get under her skirt, with good intentions and not. Psychological horror is rarely done in films, the need for a supernatural or psychotic monster usually wins the day. Here, we're presented with a quiet, mostly silent performance that speaks volumes about mental health. Deneuve's listless depression gives way to sudden upswings of nervous anxiety, both leading her to sabotage her life. She's in practically every scene, except when we move to a sort of locker room chorus that represents the misogyny she's up against. Sadly as topical today as it was in 1965.paizlea
@George Bailey SLIGHTLY crazy? LOLGreat film, horror that stands the test of time!
Rigters
I was so hypnotized with Catherine Deneuve performance. So incredible!Good horror scenes, they really creeped me out for a second there.
akuma587
Wow, great horror movie. Polanski is a powerhouse.Alias
This is one of the few movies that literally gave me nightmares.George Bailey
I LOVE movies where the main character goes slightly crazy! 8/10iCheckFilms
Gotta say that this is a mind-f**king movie..Ivan0716
Catherine Deneuve is breathtaking in this film.daisyaday
https://www.crackle.com/watch/e4f39a96-c93e-4218-99ee-ddfc8ae2acfd/repulsionkathulu
Polanski. Immediate, awful taste in my mouth. Reminds me of everything bad and awful. Charles Manson. Rape. Paedophilia. And yes, he is a paedophile. This is undeniable.Watching a work of art created by a criminal of a moral ranging from low to entirely unacceptable is always difficult and has to be done with a lot of caution, where it aligns with your morals and ethics. But on the other hand, so many artists of every kind have been outed having done reprehensible things, it becomes almost impossible to enjoy any creation if you do not wear the glasses of future past. We are trapped in the world of immorality, "wearing rose coloured glasses so that all the red flags look like flags."
Cancel culture does not exist, and there isn't a single person in the world who doesn't get new chances. Polanski, just like many other paedophile rapists, continues to receive honors and job offers from above, despite the very many vocal protests from the public.
The incredible irony is that the film "Repulsion" is about a woman terrorized by men, some of whom have her in some sort of power (like the landlord.) And perhaps even more ironic are the reviews written by men, speaking of the "decent admirer whose honest love might be exactly what she needs." It brings into the question whether everything we are seeing are her hallucinations, but being a woman myself, I really cannot help but experience everything in this movie as reality in some way or another, including the doubt that it brings into whether or not this is real - as this is something that us women are awfully familiar with on a mass scale.
Scrubbing all of that off of our brains, there is no denying that this film is highly influential. So many modern horror classics like "It Follows", "The Babadook" and "Hereditary" cite as having this film being one of the influences, where some influences are a lot more on the nose than others (rabbits and pigeons and wall hands, oh my.)
Windill
Hum... Disruptive...Forewarning of Rosemary's Baby.
Inspired by Nouvelle Vague movies, with black and white photography and jazzy music.
Undoubtedly interesting, and scary!
I'm pretty sure Darren Aronofsky saw it before he shot Black Swan.
Crentist852
this chick is not dtfjeane
I saw this a few months ago. Didn't really rate the film although like kristenwiigs thought Deneuve's performance was noteworthy. However the film has stayed with me. Maybe it's better than I initially gave credit.Showing items 1 – 15 of 24