The Perfection will test your capacity for misdirection, implied sexual violence, and copious amounts of vomit.
The horror film, which debuted on Netflix last week, stars Allison Williams as Charlotte, a former cello prodigy who reunites with her mentor (Steven Weber) and sets her sights on new rising star Lizzie (Logan Browning).
The film nudges you into thinking Charlotte is trying to make Lizzie disappear out of jealousy, culminating in a scene in which the two travel by bus through the Chinese countryside–and Lizzie becomes violently ill. Trapped on a bus. With no windows to roll down. And lots of bodily fluids that want to come out. Also, maggots and roaches.
Williams told People that the scene was inspired by director Richard Shepard’s own experience of getting sick on a bus in Mexico. There’s also a scene in which Lizzie, desperate and hallucinating, cuts off her own hand.
While the film’s final act addresses darker and more resonant themes, the middle act’s body horror has caused Twitter to collectively wretch.
https://twitter.com/tyanaalex/status/1132270323020308486
woke up early to watch the perfection before work this morning… literally bout to call in sick lmao that was fucked UPPPP
— mia not goth (@miasommar) May 27, 2019
Not everyone was sickened by the content. Some just wanted to shout out the film’s bigger themes.
https://twitter.com/liptonlikethet/status/1132153486211031040
This kind of visceral reaction is no doubt what Netflix wants, a new kind of viral crowdsourced marketing strategy. (Remember Bird Box?) Thankfully there are memes to give us some levity.
#ThePerfection with no context lol pic.twitter.com/Nu3KbZiIBf
— ننيم⁹:³⁰🇵🇸 (@thatonefish8) May 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/yoStaceyy/status/1132070466565419008
https://twitter.com/spiffyplum/status/1132470009517760512
Mrs: Let's watch #ThePerfection
— JC (@jaub81) May 26, 2019
Me: What's it about?
Mrs: Idk, some cello thing
(1 hour, 35 minutes later) pic.twitter.com/v9wqJ72cqO
But like….. Charlotte REAALY couldn’t convince Lizzie in other way? I mean I get it…. but…. okay sis #ThePerfection pic.twitter.com/OERzbQKKFB
— Tramon (@_Tramon_) May 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/podandpendulum/status/1132289254917386240
READ MORE:
- Netflix’s ‘The Perfection’ is a totally unhinged, WTF horror film
- Here’s what’s coming and going on Netflix in June
- 10 new Netflix movies and series that aren’t worth your time
- The best Netflix original series of 2019, ranked
H/T People