Review of Repulsion (1965) by August M — 02 Jul 2015
At times incredibly boring while at other times incredibly terrifying, Repulsion is a curious psychological horror film that I don't believe quite achieved what it set out to do. Polanski's direction is fantastic, that's a given, and he is able to stage a number of unnerving scenes.
Deneuve is, likewise, excellent in her role. What's most interesting about this film, however, is it's dealing with sex and sexual panic. Carol is an incredibly gorgeous, sexy woman but she is downright frightened of sex and by extension men.
Carol's looks also get in her way, as men leer and intimidate her all throughout the movie. Carol doesn't know how to cope with this attention, often times never even saying an unkind word to her assailants (such as the horrifying scene where her "boyfriend" knocks down her door).
Repulsion almost tries to say that men and sexual deviancy go hand in hand. As the movie progresses, it becomes more eerie and sinister, including a number of scenes where you question the reality off what is transpiring.
By the end you are left wondering if Carol is a product of her environment or has simply always been this way.
This review of Repulsion (1965) was written by August M on 02 Jul 2015.
Repulsion has generally received very positive reviews.
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