The Machinist (2004)
A horror you won’t be able to look away from.
Presentation:
Some films are known for their actor’s performances. This is one that is defined by it. With an unbelievable physical transformation from Christian Bale, the movie’s legacy is all about his ghoul-like appearance even despite having a pretty powerful script. It could even be considered a body horror. It’s tonally similar to films like Black Swan, though a bit less polished as it was made a decade earlier. The reason it feels less compelling is perhaps a result of the less memorable cinematography, which mostly utilizes desaturation and performances to illustrate the descent into madness. Just average presentation.
Analysis:
Trauma, denial, defense mechanisms, self preservation and insanity. These are what the film attempts to explore, which is pretty straightforward thematically, though still executed cinematically.
Conclusion:
It’s one of the most convincingly impactful showings on the fragility of the mind but you may find it weaker than other films with stronger visual presentation. It’s very dark, grungy, colorless, which are fitting for the story but ultimately not very satisfying for a cinematic experience. Still, with an impressive performance from Christian Bale, this is one trauma you won’t be able to forget.
Recommendations
Level 0 of the liminal basement.