She Will, a psychological thriller set in the lush forests of Scotland, demands audience’s attention with its brooding score by composer Clint Mansell (Black Swan, Moon) and the sharp, dark cinematography of Jamie Ramsay. Executive produced by Dario Argento, She Will is the directorial debut of the promising filmmaker Charlotte Colbert.
Aging film star Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige) needs to get away. The film begins with her in a private train car, drinking nips and shouting about her insurance on the phone. Her nurse, Desi (Kota Eberhardt), is accompanying her on what Veronica thinks will be a solitary women’s retreat in the Scottish Highlands.
Veronica’s had a double mastectomy, and while she accepts that she needs to heal, she’s in denial about the sort of effect this might be having on her psyche. Desi is aware though, and wary of Veronica’s choice not to heal in the comfort and safety of her own home. This isn’t the sort of surgery one just needs to rest up a bit from; a crucial part of Veronica’s identity and image has been taken away from her.
From the moment Veronica and Desi walk through the doors of the retreat, things are very strange. First of all, it’s not a solitary retreat, and second, it’s filled with men. They’re all taking Veronica’s picture, demanding selfies. There’s an anxiety and claustrophobia reminiscent of Mother!; Veronica just wants to be left alone. The pair of women try to leave, but due to a storm, are stuck at the retreat.
The anxiety that began when Veronica walked in the door follows her as she starts to have distressing visions. Hallucinogenic images and quick snapshots fill the screen as Veronica tries to take a relaxing bath. These visions and flashbacks won’t lend themselves to jump scares, nor is most of the imagery overtly disturbing or gruesome, and this makes it all the more effective. A single fly on a surgical wound; black mud oozing over Veronica’s feet. Contrasted with the cozy retreat home and the beautiful landscape, She Will never allows the viewer to get too comfortable thanks to the smart and quick cinematography and some brilliant editing.
The man leading the retreat, a smug painter and self-proclaimed feminist named Tirador (Rupert Everett), leads an outdoor landscape drawing class for the retreat goers. In a moment of exposition, he explains the dark nature of the wilderness they currently inhabit. This history resonates deeply with Veronica as she frantically works to create a drawing as visions cloud her mind.
Malcolm McDowell stars as Eric Hathbourne, an important figurehead in Veronica’s life. As thoughts of her past interrupt her should-be-peaceful retreat, she looks back to the beginning of her career, and the beginning of her traumas – which Hathbourne is responsible for. Of course, in the flashbacks of Hathbourne, a young Malcolm McDowell flashes on the screen and one can’t help but find his young visage menacing, if they’ve seen A Clockwork Orange. He’s an interesting choice to play against Veronica, an actress who also feels defined by her past.
IFC Midnight
As Veronica and Desi spend more time on this retreat, their relationship changes from purely professional to much more friendly. Krieg and Eberhardt manage this transition smoothly, and the two women begin to nurture one another as they worry about their grasp on reality. The two actresses have a believable chemistry, and while their characters are opposites in many ways, they become bonded in solidarity.
At its core, She Will is a revenge tale steeped in folklore, and tale of a woman finding the true source and nature of her power. She Will is strikingly beautiful, haunting, and effective as it manages to tell this revenge tale without diving too deep into the nature of the characters traumas. She Will is more focused on what’s next, and hopefully there is more to come from director Charlotte Colbert.
She Will comes to select theaters and VOD 07/15/2022.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.