Review of May (2008) by Sarah B — 26 Mar 2010

This is not your typical horror film - it's much more intelligent than that. First time director Lucky McKee executes a twisted character study with an odd combination of absurdity and sensitivity.

McKee's unusual choices elevate the film to an art house level; there's no excessive screaming or thrashing about, but there is lots of gruesomeness (this IS a horror flick after all). More a black comedy in the beginning, the film darkens in tone to full on horror, mirroring the downward spiral of someone whose self-induced anguish has reached breaking point.

Angela Bettis as May is cringingly captivating as a socially stunted woman whose desperation to find love slowly tears her apart - and we are torn between feeling sorry for her and fearing her. Refreshingly, there are no stupid characters here - Adam (Jeremy Sisto) is a pretty cool guy who's initially intrigued by May's quirkiness but backs off quickly once he senses that all is not right with her.

Also drawn to May's shyness and odd sexuality is Polly, her playful colleague, but whereas to Polly being frisky is just a fun pastime, for May it's her whole world. And that's scary stuff.