Review of Repulsion (1965) by Sylvester K — 15 Mar 2012

Probably the second best Psychological thriller ever!!! (Psycho is still my fav) The story follows a woman named Carole with androphobia that has to deal with being confined in a tiny apartment, gradually descent into madness. The film has many symbolic imageries such as the cracking of the wall, the rotten rabbit and the razor. Men are seen as the evil beings in Carole's eyes, thus the contrasting juxtaposition of the apartment and the church filled with nuns. The film can be a really good example of psychology analysis: Carole's disorder was not developed in just one day, but the constant invasion of space by her sister's boyfriend and the reinforcement of her work environment plus the abandonment of her sister lead to her illness became more severe, resulted in the tragic events.

Polanski's direction style was impressing, despite the age of the film, it was well done and can still deliver the disturbing feeling to the viewers. I personally think that the score was amazingly done, with the sharp notes accompany the violence and Carole's face was just absolutely chilling. And the weird camera angles made the film even more suspenseful, because even though you know Carole is about the kill someone, you can't help but feeling that she wouldn't do so.

Futher more, Catherine Deneuve was incredibly beautiful, mysterious yet stunning.