When a film begins with an announcement in regards to the 5 sorts of childhood abuse, it’s going to be fairly the expertise. And that’s simply how Pierre Tsigaridis chooses to start out his sophomore characteristic, Traumatika. Now let this be your warning: a number of dangerous issues occur to youngsters right here. After stunning audiences with Two Witches, Tsigaridis is again with a really completely different perspective on trauma, one which acts as a sledgehammer to the face, a confrontation in regards to the nature of not solely experiencing trauma, however in regards to the particular sorts of trauma inflicted by way of possession horror that you just wouldn’t ever count on.
Much like Two Witches, Traumatika is cut up into two components. The primary half is the story of Abigail (Rebekah Kennedy), a younger lady who, after struggling horrendous sexual abuse by her father, is possessed by a violent demon. This demon calls for blood, particularly youngsters’s blood, and Abigail should oblige. She turns into the boogeyman, kidnapping and sacrificing youngsters to fulfill the creature inside her. Tsigaridis tells her story by beginning along with her demise, when her crimes are found, after which flashes again to how this all began. What begins like a bit of exploitative true crime turns into a harrowing story of possession by way of sexual abuse. And that’s solely the start of Abigail’s hell.
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Then, we flash ahead to the current the place Abigail’s youthful sister Alice (Emily Goss) has written about her sister’s crimes in an try and get her justice. Nevertheless, after a quite contentious speak present look, she begins to comprehend that maybe she’s exploiting her sister’s demise and abuse. In the meantime, her very public appearances have drawn the eye of a killer with a grudge. Right here, Traumatika turns into a nasty little slasher as this meditation of trauma goes in yet one more wild course, however nonetheless stuffed with blood and our bodies.
Whereas Traumatika is all in regards to the shock, it’s additionally about Tsigaridis exhibiting off his capability to weave completely different subgenres collectively to create his personal distinctive tapestry of terror. From possession horror to slashers, there’s an inherent love for the style right here, steeped in each disturbing body. However maybe probably the most spectacular moments are those who draw from the discovered footage world, whether or not it’s information studies or the true crime particular that Alice watches with a glass of wine. These in-world creations are well-constructed and add to each the movie’s technical building and its world-building. That is why Traumatika is a movie I can confidently say isn’t simply doing it for the shock worth. There’s an excessive amount of consideration to element and care put into its building for this to exist as merely a bit of exploitation.
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Which some may initially suppose. Abigail is tortured thoughts, physique, and soul, taken benefit of by man and demon alike, her physique by no means her personal. Earlier than something dangerous occurs to her, she’s offered as a clumsy lady with a cleft palate, that means she has a facial distinction (and there’s a complete different dialog available about utilizing facial distinction as a marker of monstrosity). Tsigaridis presents her as an Different earlier than we see her endure any trauma, which solely hints at a historical past of trauma we’ll by no means find out about. And when she does attempt to take again any ounce of autonomy, she’s overwhelmed again and by no means allowed any sense of energy.
However, that’s a part of Tsigaridis’ level. It is a far more direct and confronting take a look at the possession film, one which fairly actually personifies the act of being possessed as an act of rape. This possession is violent, repulsive, damaging, and with out a blissful ending. That doesn’t make it any simpler to look at, per se, however the violence no less than has a function past titillating and stunning viewers.
Kennedy’s storyline is the strongest and most terrifying, an agonizing depiction not solely of possession, however of the multitudes of results of abuse, particularly on the hand of a father or mother. It could make even the strongest squirm of their seats as Kennedy contorts, shakes, screams, and growls by way of a residing hell, inflicted upon her by her personal blood.
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The second half poses fascinating questions, particularly relating to true crime, however loses the horrific steam of what unfolded beforehand. There isn’t practically sufficient characterization of Alice, particularly as she herself has lived by way of trauma as a baby. Extra advanced character improvement is eschewed for slasher violence, which is able to enchantment to some, completely. However the tone change is a bit jarring after the depth of the primary act, and whereas it finally wraps up this harrowing story with a disgusting bow, a deeper dive into Alice herself would strengthen the story’s emotional influence.
Tsigaridis additionally serves because the movie’s cinematographer and he captures each disgusting act of violence fantastically. Between Two Witches and Traumatika, the filmmaker proves his capability to create an impeccable vibe, one which’s each alluring and wholly cursed, giving his movies the sensation of nightmares chances are you’ll not need to finish.
Finally, Traumatika is a poignant exploration of the horrors of possession from a really completely different lens as Tsigaridis blends subgenres in fascinating and disgusting methods. It’s violent, offended, and unafraid to confront societal taboos to inform its story about residing with and thru trauma. It typically toes the road of what’s exploitative with function or exploitative for shock worth, which can flip off some viewers. However Tsigaridis as soon as once more proves his capability to craft vibey, disgusting, and daring tales assured to depart a long-lasting impression on the viewer.
Abstract
With ‘Traumatika’, Pierre Tsigaridis as soon as once more proves his capability to craft vibey, disgusting, and daring tales assured to depart a long-lasting impression on the viewer.
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