Piercing (2018)

Directed by: Nicolas Pesce | 91 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa, Olivia Bond, Maria Dizzia, Marin Ireland, Dakota Lustick, Wendell Pierce

You don’t have to expect a gooey film from author Ryu Murakami, who was also responsible for the gruesome story of cultclassic ‘Ôdishon’ (filmed by enfant terrible Takashi Miike). ‘Piercing’ is also an intense story about disturbed people with murderous thoughts. Lovers of somewhat sick psychological horror films can have fun with this production by Nicolas Pesce.

In ‘Piercing’ you get to know Reed (Christopher Abbott). This ‘businessman’ goes on a trip and says goodbye to his wife and son. His luggage contains hardly any clothes, but does contain a toothbrush and a murder kit. He’s thought out everything perfectly: book a room in a hotel, call an escort (Mia Wasikowska) and kill the unsuspecting victim.

The first scene of ‘Piercing’ cuts right into it. Reed stands with an ice pick over his newborn child and comes surprisingly close to his son’s face with the stab object. When his wife wakes up and calls him, he hides the awl behind his back. The tone is set. Pesce continuously plays with the expectations of the audience. Is Reed going to do something or not? The worst thoughts are in your head and everything you show is less bad than what you have in mind is the idea. The result is a downright uncomfortable film that, thanks to a number of clever plot twists and good acting, is provided with the necessary air.

Abbott is on a roll as the creepy Reed. He looks calm and composed, but there’s a lot that hides behind the surface. Wasikowska once again proves to be a very good actress who thrives best in arcane roles. The acting is perfectly fine and that also applies to the sets, soundtrack and editing. The movie is asleep. The tension build-up is very good. The sound effects are also very strong (check the scene with an imaginary murder in which an invisible victim is strangled by Abbott and is cut to pieces and is provided with sound). Psychological horror at its best!