Gerald’s Game (2017)
A successfully triggering film.
Presentation:
This film is intended to upset audiences and accomplishes it with its traumatic themes. What starts out as sexual foreplay turns into something much darker literally and metaphorically as our protagonist recalls past sexual abuse, which is done powerfully but is likely to trigger audiences. This is certainly not a film that intends to make you comfortable, so based on that merit the film succeeds. The cast is quite good and Gugino portrays a truly traumatic and vulnerable woman here alongside a creepy Greenwood. The imagery is also quite striking, particularly some of the dark scenes that will leave you asking what did you just see. Unfortunately once the mysteries are revealed, you’ll still be asking the same thing.
Analysis:
The monster person serves as a metaphor for past sexual abuse, but to manifest him as a real life person at the end is a questionable choice. It does add more shock factor and does allow for a metaphorical catharsis as the victim can confront and put her traumas behind her, but it's just very awkwardly forced and somewhat takes away from the film's impact.
Conclusion:
I didn’t really enjoy this film, which was disturbing and upsetting by design. There are some moments of great storytelling here and the way they implement tension, trauma, colors and shadows to tell the story was memorable. However, the ending is such a head-scratcher, which seems like it was added on by a second director, a sharp left turn from what had been a potentially powerful emotional journey. This isn’t a game I’d want to play again, but it should stay in your memory. A visceral confrontation of trauma, whether its painful experience makes this a good film will be up to you.
Recommendations
Level 0 of the liminal basement.