- Release:
7 februari 2019 - Director:
Nicolas Pesce (The Eyes of My Mother)
- Cast:
Christopher Abbott (It Comes at Night, James White)
Mia Wasikowska (Alice Through the Looking Glass, Only Lovers Left Alive)
Laia Costa
- Genre:
Horror
Thriller
- Year: 2018
- A Première TV Distribution Release
Piercing
SYNOPSIS
Reed (Christopher Abbott) is going on a business trip. He kisses his wife and infant son goodbye, but in lieu of a suitcase filled with clothes, he's packed a toothbrush and a murder kit. Everything is meticulously planned: check into a hotel and kill an unsuspecting victim. Only then will he rid himself of his devious impulses and continue to be a good husband and father. But Reed gets more than he bargained for with Jackie (Mia Wasikowska), an alluring call girl who arrives at his room. First, they relax and get in the mood, but when there’s an unexpected disruption, the balance of control begins to sway back and forth between the two. Is he seeing things? Who's playing whom? Before the night is over, a feverish nightmare will unfold, and Reed and Jackie will seal their bond in blood.
Based on the critically acclaimed cult novel by Ryu Murakami, Director Nicolas Pesce (The Eyes of My Mother, Sundance 2016) blends psychological horror with comedy and stylish neo-noir, resulting in a sly take on the fantasy of escape and the hazards of modern romance.
REVIEWS
- IFFR.com: Zelfs Freud doet zijn intrede in dit onvoorspelbare, seksueel geladen duel, dat zowel een dodelijke krachtmeting als een bevrijdende loutering zou kunnen zijn. Is dit wat zich afspeelt achter die anonieme vensters van de gestileerde stadsgezichten die het decor vormen?
- Schokkendnieuws.nl: Wasikowska in het bijzonder is fantastisch: grillig, onvoorspelbaar, kwetsbaar en angstaanjagend tegelijkertijd.
- Moviemeter.nl: Al vanaf de miniatuur-flatgebouwen tijdens de opening weet je dat je met iets bijzonders te maken hebt. De film omvat een ijzingwekkend kat- en muisspel tussen de twee goed acterende hoofdrolspelers Christopher Abbott en Mia Wasikowska. De genres vliegen je om de oren, maar het houdt ergens midden tussen een prachtig vormgegeven psychologische thriller en een gitzwarte komedie. Hele review hier.
- TheHollywoodReporter.com: A nail-biter whose sick premise conceals a stranger agenda. Stars Christopher Abbott and Mia Wasikowska go a long way toward keeping this tricky pic balanced, though Pesce's knowing use of sleazy-Seventies vibe (following the distinctive b&w spareness of The Eyes of My Mother, his only previous feature) creates the perfect world for them to do it in.
- Variety.com: An orderly murder takes a twist in Nicolas Pesce's stunning black comedy.The film is expertly crafted with jewel-toned cinematography, terrifically sleazy saxophone music, and performances by Abbott and Wasikowska that take turns seizing command.
- JoBlo.com: Both main actors are perfectly suited to their roles. Waskikowska continues to make a career out of playing seemingly vulnerable yet potentially very dangerous women, so she and Jackie are an ideal match. Abbott has the unenviable task of making Reed someone we end up caring about. 8/10.
- Culturefix.co.uk: Piercing is a cinematic assault that firmly establishes Pesce as one of the genre's most exciting filmmakers. This twisted psycho-sexual body horror amuses with its obscene black comedy, repels with its gruesome brutality, and entrances with its aesthetic bravado.
AWARDS
- Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 2018: Winner International Critic's Award
- Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 2018: Winner Imaging the Future Award (Production Design)
- Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival 2018: Nominee Best Feature Film
- Rotterdam International Film Festival 2018: Nominee Tiger Award
- Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival 2018: Nominee Best Film