Showing @ Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Fri 30 Sep @ 11:35pm – run ended
The discovery of a wild woman living in the woods and one man’s attempt to introduce her to modern living form the basis of Lucky McKee’s new horror, The Woman. Co-written by McKee and the acclaimed horror novelist, Jack Ketchum, this film paints a startling picture of family, society and the dangers of trying to control another human being.
Set in contemporary America, The Woman follows the Cleeks, a seemingly everyday family as they struggle to deal with the father’s (Sean Bridges) decision to bring a feral woman (Pollyanna McIntosh) into the family home in order to ‘civilise’ her. But his intentions are less than noble, and soon his and his long suffering wife’s (Angela Bettis) actions lead to a series of sadistic and cruel events that soon threaten their very existence.
McKee’s latest foray into horror is like his earlier works, May, Red and The Woods, a powerful and dark exploration of human desire, perversion and vengeance, all with a deliciously feminist twist. Although containing scenes of bloody violence, the power of The Woman lies in what we don’t see, as allusions to physical and sexual abuse, neglect and barbaric treatment of all the members of the family reveal a growing nightmare in the uneasy presentation of pure, unadulterated domestic bliss. Although initially concerned with the Cleeks’ treatment of the wild and intimidating Woman they have kept captive in their basement, McKee’s film quickly abandons the initial premise of the character of The Woman as a wild creature that must be tamed in order to survive in society, and instead turns the very nature of modern civilisation on its head, as the Cleeks’ unspoiled propriety is soon unveiled as a sham.
Featuring some exceptional performances throughout, McIntosh is not only a powerful presence on screen but also completely believable in her turn as the eponymous and abused wild woman. A very welcome addition to the horror genre, the film finally gives women a strong and non-stereotypical role in contemporary horror film, where they have often been relegated to nothing more than a pretty, half-naked and completely expendable character in a tired and unoriginal movie. Refreshing, thought-provoking and containing more than a few jumps and surprises, The Woman is a must see for all horror fans.