"I Spit on Your Grave, Rape Culture!"

      “I Spit on Your Grave” is the perfect example of the malignant cancer known as “rape culture” growing in the U.S. This film shines a clean light into the dingy corner infested with the horrors humans may produce. The movie portrays an author being raped by four men at the same time. This young woman is degraded, beaten, and left for dead. She trades her typewriter for a knife, and torments her abusers not just physically, but mentally, as well. 

This famous 1978 film is a staple in the horror community for many reasons. Heart wrenching when thinking of how close to reality this story lies; while some countries strive for gender equality by implementing laws to stir away from sexual assault, the U.S. legislation still applies the same old saying, “boys will be boys.” With light punishment being implemented on men of a certain race or social class, is it a wonder why the rape scene in this film scares people so much? I mean, it happens in real life, and the full weight of the justice system will not be placed on the actual criminal. This film resonates with our society today, just as it did when first released. 

            Our protagonist manages to pull herself together, and goes after the men who mutilated her human spirit, and takes justice into her own hands. There’s a moment in the story where the lead character walks into a church, kneels before an altar, and asks for forgiveness, for she is about to sin.

It’s understandable why this film would cause such shock when first released; the rape scene is long, uncensored, and stomach-turning. The film was banned in Norway, Ireland, and Iceland. It’s interesting how much of an outrage this film caused upon its release, and actions were immediately called for, like censorship. Why is it that a film with a brutal rape scene seems to spark more outrage than actual rape in the U.S?

            In 2016 there was nowhere you couldn’t help to hear about the Brock Turner case, where the Stanford student was accused of rape, and proven guilty via DNA proof, yet was given a light sentence. The case was criticized as judicial bias in favor of male and class privilege. The likelihood of rape taking place in a first world country sadly staggers- with knowledge of this beforehand, it’s no wonder this film engulfs us in terror and pity. The entire cast did an amazing job at enacting such horror. This scary classic embodies the worst of human malice. As the film progresses, we’re able to see more into the rapists lives, and meet them as regular people. The lead character terrorizes the rapists’ reality, handling psychological terror in a perfect manner. 

The subtlety in which our lead character handles her anger in the second half of the film seems really ballsy, as in, she gets too close to the rapists, close enough to kill her at any moment. “I Spit on Your Grave” is an epic film that remains memorable for various reasons like, it’s close relevance to a core problem in our society, the film’s extreme graphics, and traditional story of revenge. If you have not seen it yet what are you waiting for? Join us in the traumatization of “I Spit on Your Grave!”

Prevenge: Who Would Suspect a Pregnant Woman of Murder?

   “While people search for a purpose, I already got one.” This modern take on the horror genre portrays a pregnant woman committing murder in the name of revenge, hence the title. Prevenge is a well written story, accompanied by an amazing cast, and complimented by shots telling a story in a single frame. One of the best qualities of this film is how it delivers a different type of heroine. Who would suspect a middle class pregnant woman of murder? We’re able to dig deeper into the psychology behind each character through great use of foreshadowing. This movie not just delivers some gory, creepy scenes, but some good comedic moments, as well. Prevenge exemplifies on the difficult choices one has to make; life or death? Seek revenge, or sit at home angry? 

 

Each cast member has a moment to shine, and takes advantage of it, leaving us a good aftertaste with each scene. There are moments when one can’t stop to think, what lead actor would do that?!?! After looking up the movie on Wiki, it all made sense, the lead actress is also the writer and director- making it even more worthy of praise. The rest of the actors either make us sympathies with them, yet hate them to the point where we can’t wait for that knife to enter them - with that being said, thank you for the impeccable acting. Congratulations to the casting director for bringing together a talented assemble. The cast succeeds in delivering dark humor, eerie moments, and convincing performances.  

  The entire production team behind Prevenge produced a great new-age horror film. The story follows a woman seeking revenge for the death of her husband. There are moments where doubts emerge, but they’re quickly silenced by that little creepy voice inside her head. Throughout the movie, the lead character hears a voice urging her to continue with avenging her husband’s death. It’s understood that she believes the voice to be of her unborn child. She even avoids her sonograms because she fears what may be growing inside of her. This film interestingly turns the tables by making a person who society would perceive as vulnerable, into this horror film’s knife wielding psychopath.  

The director of photography, location scout, special make-up effects supervisor, all did a great job at pulling us into this story. This film could have been made as a dark comedy, but keeps the horror genre present at all time, either through blood on the floor, a creepy voice over, or eerie images. The foreshadowing in this movie is done very subtle. While Ruth, our pregnant murdering heroine, converses with a midwife, she’s told that the baby is in control now, to just give into it, if only the midwife knew she was green-lighting a murdering spree. 

A fan of the horror genre? Please watch this movie! You won’t regret it.