The Perfection (2018)

Director: Richard Shepard

Starring: Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Weber, Christina Jastrzembska

When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte seeks out Elizabeth, the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.

‘The Perfection’ is a stylish horror thriller about the abuse of power – and the power of hallucination.

Allison Williams delivers a fantastic performance as talented cellist Charlotte, who gave up her promising musical career to care for her sick mother. When her mother dies after a long sickbed, she heads to Shanghai to join her musical teacher, Anton (Steven Weber) in selecting a new student for his prestigious music school.

There, she meets cellist Elizabeth Wells. Both Allison and Elizabeth are Anton’s prized students, and Elizabeth is now a renowned performer. Allison idolizes Elizabeth, and learns Elizabeth idolized her when Allison was 14 and Elizabeth 9 years old. The girls connect and soon they become intimate. (( didn’t see that coming!) Elizabeth – or Lizzie – then invites Charlotte to join her on vacation. At the start of their vacation, Lizzy is feeling sick. And this is only just the start of their nightmare!

Not doing spoilers, this is all I’m telling you about the movie. What follows literally is a living nightmare. There are a few truly gross scenes that’s going to be hard to watch, so be forewarned. ‘The Perfection’ is a very unique horror, and I believe – and hope – others will follow this approach (similar to ‘Hereditary’). It is stylish, emotional, suspenseful and very disturbing. You have to pay very close attention to detail, as there’s twist upon twist. The final act is a rollercoaster ride of chills and thrills.

Nothing here is what it seems. Is Allison insanely jealous? Is Lizzy really sick? Is Anton what he seems to be? Is anything what it appears to be? Well, you’ll have to find out. This is a good script, with fantastic performances. Somehow – weirdly – the film reminded me of a cross between ‘Black Swan’ and ‘The Menu’.

Would I watch it again? Even with the surprise element gone, I believe it will still be a good watch the second time around.