Jennifer Reeder’s Perpetrator promises so much with its initial setup and potential, but unfortunately, it falls drastically short of delivering a coherent and engaging narrative.
In a city plagued by missing girls, the film introduces us to Jonny (Kiah McKirnan), a 17-year-old who seems to possess an unusual connection to the mysteries surrounding her.
As her 18th birthday approaches, Jonny’s father becomes increasingly nervous and sends her to live with her mysterious aunt Hilda (Alicia Silverstone) for an undetermined period. Jonny’s been experiencing unusual physiological developments of late, and through Hilda she learns about the dark family secrets that may be behind them. As her body begins to change, mysterious powers develop – powers that may give the perpetrator of the town’s disappearances something to truly fear.`
Sadly, what could have been an intriguing exploration of coming-of-age and supernatural elements quickly devolves into a disjointed, unfocused mess. The film starts with the intriguing premise of the missing girls and Jonny’s peculiar bodily condition, but fails to develop these elements into a compelling story. The central narrative gets lost in a haze of dreamy sequences and disjointed scenes. The promised exploration of Jonny’s powers and her transformation becomes lost in a kaleidoscopic fug that never solidifies into anything meaningful.
The film’s failure to tie its themes to a solid narrative structure is its undoing. It’s as if the filmmakers were more interested in creating a visually striking and surreal experience than in crafting a story that resonates. The themes of agency, bodily autonomy, and female friendships are lost in this almost dissociative miasma, making it difficult for the audience to engage on any meaningful level.
Reeder’s admirable attempt to blend genres only contributes to Perpetrator’s lack of focus. It tries to combine coming-of-age elements with supernatural fantasy, but instead of enhancing each other, these elements are handled in a way that feel clumsy and unsatisfying. The hazy, dreamlike quality that may have been intended to create atmosphere ends up obscuring any coherent plot progression.
As the film progresses, any initial charm it may have held quickly dissipates. The allure of rebellious teen emotions and the potential for a transgressive narrative are squandered by the film’s inability to anchor them in a cohesive storyline. The meandering, aimless nature of the film soon becomes tiresome.
In the end, Perpetrator is the biggest disappointment of this year’s Fantasia film festival. It’s a film that starts with a promising concept but fails to deliver a focused and engaging narrative. Instead of a well-constructed story that allows its themes to shine, the film gets lost in a fog of dreamy visuals and disjointed scenes. It’s a missed opportunity to explore meaningful themes within a genre framework, and as a result, the film becomes a frustrating and ultimately forgettable experience.
Perpetrator played at the Fantasia Film Festival.
Whitlock&Pope 