The film's a lot of fun, and offers more than a few scares. I watched it for a third time this past weekend, and was struck by how it touched on the #MeToo movement long before the phenomenon existed.
You see, one of the characters, Kira, attracts the spirit of a judge who, in life, was very much a model citizen... a model citizen with a dark side. Seems this judge had deviant sexual practices and liked to rape and abuse women, even going so far as to imprison them in a dungeon of sorts. Suffice to say, this spirit comes after Kira, well played by Josie Maran, in full force.
It doesn't matter what Kira and her friends do, the spirit doesn't stop. And there are scenes of her being dragged, slapped, thrown and fondled against her will as the ghost attempts to take advantage of her. It's shocking, and powerful, stuff that Mendez doesn't play as exploitation.
Watching this, I couldn't help but think of #MeToo, and how Mendez explored what it's about a good 11 years before the movement took off. The prominent and well respected male figure who secretly preyed on women, and how the spirit of such a vile person, and his crimes, can continue to harm people, even after the perpetrator is gone.
Maybe I'm overthinking things, or maybe #MeToo has me seeing the world in a new light. Either way, kudos to Mike Mendez and The Gravedancers for providing not only a good piece of entertainment, but for making me pause in thought. Not an easy task.
Comments
Post a Comment