Wounds

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It is unfortunate that the filmmakers chose to change the title from Nathan Ballingrud’s original novella The Visible Filth as otherwise this is an extremely accurate adaptation of the text. The original title informs the viewer quite a bit more on the themes and nature of the subject matter, although opening quotes from Heart of Darkness and repeated references to TS Elliot should close that gap. This is a film about superficially pretty people presenting a facade masking emptiness and pain. Somewhere in this gaping metaphysical emptiness, between the space of atoms and singularities, something can get in, taint and fester. It might take nothing more than a single image, text or phone call. The actors do a phenomenal job portraying resolutely unlikable characters who initially manage to avoid any form of judgment by virtue of charisma and charm. From the moment of a horrible inciting incident, the characters spiral downward into their own abyss, as masks break and oblivion begins overtaking their existence. This a difficult movie to watch on a number of levels, but it would be mistaken to view that as a flaw. It is often the goal of a filmmaker for a film to linger with a viewer, and this movie will succeed, but on skin-crawling levels. This movie is about toxicity and toxic people, the emptiness of unfulfillment and the moral degradation. Everything from the perspective of the characters is presented filthy and caked in grime, even in full daylight, a sense every scene exists in a layer of decay. Unfortunately, this movie spends far too much time reveling in atmospheric squalor after very effectively building a sense of unease and disquiet. The movie expects the viewer to simmer in the discomfort and disgust, but it becomes weary after a while. The last act feels very rushed, with a rather abrupt ending (although also accurate to the novel), and far more time could have been spent with the final reveal which may confuse and alienate even viewers paying attention. Regardless, this is a very effectively made adaptation, maintaining the themes and subtext while bolstered by some quality performances but on every level an examination of inner ugliness and filth.

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