The Gift
Director: Joel Edgerton
Cast: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton
When a young, married couple moves into a new house, life for them couldn’t be happier until a chance encounter with someone from the past sends their perfect world spiraling into a dark labyrinth of secrets, lies and revenge. As the truth is brought to light, relationships are questioned and one woman begins to ask herself “Is karma ever truly satisfied?”
The essence of Gordo’s psychosis may be found in his desire to become more than what he is. He uses physical expressions of joy and sadness in the form of faces drawn on letters to convey his emotions to Simon and to Robin. While Gordo’s animosity seems focused more on Simon, with whom he shared bad blood with during high school, the irony is that he craves approval from Simon’s wife, Robyn. His attraction to Robyn is almost like an addiction and his gifts are meant for her; almost as if he is trying to heal the wounds that Simon inflicted on him by giving Robyn gifts that he knows will make her happy.
The truth that Simon and Gordo must both understand is sometimes the past can’t be forgiven. Sometimes the pain that is so carelessly inflicted can’t be forgotten. The true villain may sometimes wear the mask of a hero and the real victim is lost forever in darkness and in fear. Karma can be more deadly than a bully’s cruelty.
“The Gift” is quite possibly the most brilliant horror film that has been brought to life onscreen in the last decade. What makes this film such a worthy addition to the horror genre is not the gore and cheap, contrived scares that are so often used in other horror films to evoke fear, but rather a brilliant marriage of exceptional casting, a dark and suspenseful atmosphere, a chilling musical score, and an intelligent and well-told story that draws the viewer in and allows them to experience for themselves the emotions that the characters are experiencing. If you enjoy a good horror film, then this is one I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Joel Edgerton
Cast: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton
When a young, married couple moves into a new house, life for them couldn’t be happier until a chance encounter with someone from the past sends their perfect world spiraling into a dark labyrinth of secrets, lies and revenge. As the truth is brought to light, relationships are questioned and one woman begins to ask herself “Is karma ever truly satisfied?”
The essence of Gordo’s psychosis may be found in his desire to become more than what he is. He uses physical expressions of joy and sadness in the form of faces drawn on letters to convey his emotions to Simon and to Robin. While Gordo’s animosity seems focused more on Simon, with whom he shared bad blood with during high school, the irony is that he craves approval from Simon’s wife, Robyn. His attraction to Robyn is almost like an addiction and his gifts are meant for her; almost as if he is trying to heal the wounds that Simon inflicted on him by giving Robyn gifts that he knows will make her happy.
The truth that Simon and Gordo must both understand is sometimes the past can’t be forgiven. Sometimes the pain that is so carelessly inflicted can’t be forgotten. The true villain may sometimes wear the mask of a hero and the real victim is lost forever in darkness and in fear. Karma can be more deadly than a bully’s cruelty.
“The Gift” is quite possibly the most brilliant horror film that has been brought to life onscreen in the last decade. What makes this film such a worthy addition to the horror genre is not the gore and cheap, contrived scares that are so often used in other horror films to evoke fear, but rather a brilliant marriage of exceptional casting, a dark and suspenseful atmosphere, a chilling musical score, and an intelligent and well-told story that draws the viewer in and allows them to experience for themselves the emotions that the characters are experiencing. If you enjoy a good horror film, then this is one I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.