Netflix found success with ‘The Perfection,’ a suspenseful film that blurs the lines between horror and grand guignol melodrama. Directed by Richard Shepard and co-written with Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder, the film gained attention at Fantastic Fest 2018 before making its way to the streaming platform.
The plot revolves around classical musicianship and intricate revenge, presenting a tale that is easier to appreciate than to genuinely like. The film, clocking in at a terse 90 minutes, explores character psychology with somewhat repellent content. Despite this, Shepard’s skilful gamesmanship ensures a quick yet uncomfortable viewing experience.
Lead actress Allison Williams portrays Charlotte Willmore, a former protégé of Anton Bachoff (Steven Weber) at his music academy near Boston. After a decade of isolation caring for her terminally ill mother, Charlotte reconnects with Bachoff and meets her successor, Elizabeth Wells (Logan Browning). The two cellists form an unexpected bond that takes a dramatic turn during a fateful trip to Shanghai.
Without giving away spoilers, the narrative unfolds with twists and turns, rewinding at strategic points to reveal the characters’ motivations. Events in Minneapolis and Boston add complexity, transforming victims into avengers in a progressively grotesque sequence of actions.
Despite the film’s sadistic and tasteless elements, including the introduction of systemic s*xual abuse, Shepard and his collaborators manage to infuse it with a cool cleverness that transcends mere luridness. The movie balances a showy and clinical entertainment style, reminiscent of Shepard’s previous work, such as ‘The Matador.’
While ‘The Perfection’ requires leaps of logic from its audience, the swift and intense pacing allows viewers to accept the incredible moments. The leads, especially Allison Williams and Logan Browning, exhibit an admirable commitment to naturalism while supporting players to exercise judicious restraint in roles that could easily lean towards flamboyance.
The film’s exploration of the classical music world, with its conservatories, concert halls, and anxious stage parents, is convincingly portrayed. The cinematography, production design and costumes contribute to the overall elegance, making the story’s demands on the viewer’s strong stomach more digestible.