His is an independent slow-burn suspense-horror film that explores the unsettling and eerie aspects of human nature when people are kept in isolated bubbles of their own devising. It's definitely a film that goes off the beaten path in terms of plot, character development, etc. Definitely don't expect something normal going into this. The atmosphere it creates is hard to put into words, but mainly there is a mix of dread and anticipation that builds up gradually, especially from the soundtrack.

I thought of the spider metaphor that's mentioned in the film several times and it seems apt since the film is slowly weaving a tighter and tighter web that left the main character and me in a tight corner in the end. No idea of this was the intention of the director. There is a lot that really comes from it being a gritty little indie film and it;s not clear what are intentional and unintentional themes in the film. It's definitely got a haunting and puzzling spirit to it though. Really worth watching for the main actress and some of the supporting cast as well as the outstanding soundtrack.

While struggling to translate the writings of a crazy person, beautiful Catherine starts succumbing to the madness in the words.

I really enjoyed watching this moody, ominous story. The characters were very unique and interesting like what you might find in a David Lynch film.

The vibe of the film is supported and intensified by the foreboding music score. It really draws you in.

Although some narrative threads can be hard to grasp at times, Similar to Mulholland drive, it is very intriguing and keeps you guessing what will happen next.

This film is for any movie lover who wants to take a trip through moody atmospheric Japanese locations and go down a deranged psychological rabbit hole.

John Cairn's new film Effigy evokes an unnerving yet reminiscing feeling of surrealistic and experimental films like the works of David Lynch and Under the Skin.

The film follows a foreign translator Catherine, played by Camille Stahl, as she lives in the isolated city of metropolitan Tokyo. Her life takes a dark turn when she encounters an enigmatic client who demands a translation. From that moment, the line between reality and imagination begins to blur, revealing Catherine's inner depravity.

Effigy is undeniably niche, offering no clear answers as the plot unfolds, leaving the viewer with more questions than resolutions. If Schoolgirl was able to avoid cliches within a genre that could easily lean towards creative limitations, then this highly surrealistic film was able to highly compliment what an experimental horror film can do. It challenges its audience to interpret its meaning, reflecting the director's intent to push the boundaries of contemporary storytelling.

The cinematography is nothing short of stunning, portraying the city as an isolated, ominous presence. It was as if the city itself was coming alive with the dark contrast across the buildings, where the muted colors and ominous lights beamed in the streets. The sound design enhances this sense of lurking horror, hiding just beyond the shadows. It almost felt like I was back in Silent Hill, a franchise that I adore.

The editing is equally striking, particularly during the scenes where Catherine translates. The film cuts between her frustrated work and her drawing, with the visuals coming to life as she narrates, a technique that echoes Cairn's earlier film, Schoolgirl Apocalypse.

For an indie film there were some very strong performances. Camille Stahl gives a very compelling and demanding performance, shifting from innocence to psychosis with subtle yet terrifying precision just by the way she looks and moves alone. Shinsuke Kao as Doggy was great too, having a profound ability by simply disappearing into his character.

Although I didn't fully grasp the film's message after my first viewing-especially as it reached its ambiguous conclusion-that's not the point of a surreal film. It's about the visual and hypnotic experience. And yet, much like watching a David Lynch film or playing Silent Hill, there's a persistent sense that a deeper meaning lies behind the curtain-one with layers of interpretation waiting to be uncovered.

Another reason for a re watch!