Thoroughly enjoyable film in which the suspense is masterfully presented. This is accompanied by a truly engaging set design and good acting (including the worst BUT funniest child performance).
While some of the camera movement choices are not to my taste, and certain sleight-of-hand moments feel forced, it did not stop me from having a great time with it.
This Dutch drama excels in its technical approach, as it immerses the audience into the first-person experience of the newly visually impaired protagonist via the use of tight shots that make us blind to her surrounding and a slightly heightened sound mixing in little details that enhances the boosted senses.
The lead performance by Aiko Beemsterboer and her personal journey depicted in the film stand out, making for a compelling narrative.
However, the presentation of the visually impaired institution is only somewhat effective (do they really allow you to go that crazy in such places?), and the portrayal of the outside world, especially the family, feel lacking. The symbolic elements, presented through dreams also feel unnecessary and overexplanatory.
The latest David Cronenberg attempts to blend black comedy with a convoluted conspiratory-based story (à la Burn After Reading) but falls short in execution.
The non-sensical plot detracts from the film’s overall appeal, and the body horror elements are underwhelming, lacking the expected impact.
Cronenberg feels surprisingly lazy and out of touch working with the elements that have sustained many of his previous great work.
While the black comedy moments provide some entertainment, they are not enough to save the film from its numerous flaws.
