!Review may contain spoilers!
Vincent Cassel should never again be aloud to freak me out, it's unhealthy...for us. He does just that in Sheitan, out now on DVD. A movie mindfuck that's reminiscent of early survivor, horror movies like
Friday the 13th and
The Hills Have Eyes. Basic setup: a group of inept, young adults find themselves in increasingly bizarre situations and over stay their welcome, and...well...that would be telling.
Okay, you twisted our arms, we'll tell you a bit to snack on. Sheitan is a french movie, directed by Kim Chapiron, that tells a seedy tale of a backwards french town and the sickening rituals one family goes through in preparing for childbirth. Tossed into this dark creepfest are a few oblivious french partiers. They decide to follow a girl to her home in the countryside, and soon they can't escape fast enough. Can they make it? Do you even want them to?
The look is as dirty as the characters. Autumn colours infest the film, creating rusty backdrops and dirt-caked townies. Occasionally the film work veers off course and loses track of its story, but eventually it gets back on course. Not a spectacular film by any means, but there are a few choice camera moves and sequences that use modern techniques and flair.
Story lacks in many ways, quite often confusing, and frequently awkward; but that's not where the fun is. This movie really belongs to Joseph (
Vincent Cassel). He is a dark force of quiet madness; an unhinged feeling permeates his every scene. Even when he is doing little more than smiling, you are constantly on edge. When he appears, he may shower affection or rain violence. To say that Cassel excelled in the role is an understatement, he literally is the movie. Had Cassel not gone all out in this role, the movie wouldn't have been a joy (and a nightmare) to watch.
To buy or rent is up to you and your tastes, we think this flick deserves at least a rent. Though it strays off course at times,
Vincent Cassel always brings you back. In the end, we really do want Cassel to freak us out, and you will too.
