After the death of her mother, former child cello prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) returns to her roots to reconnect with her former instructor Anton (Steven Weber). She is shocked to learn that her fading star has been outshone by rising cellist Lizzie (Logan Browning). The women’s lives become intertwined and take them down an unexpected plot.
Well…that’s about all I can say on the plot of Netflix’s “The Perfection” without spoiling the fun.
The film might be Netflix’s boldest offering yet. The film delivers on the streaming platform’s promise to be a safe haven for artists; a place that allows them to push the boundaries erected by mainstream film conglomerates. Director Richard Shepard demolishes those boundaries. And what is left is spectacular trash.
“The Perfection” harkens back to the B-movies of the distance past — those that gleefully reveled in sleaze and silliness. Shepard enhances your typical B-movie by whipping back and forward between different sub-genres at neck-breaking speed. Horror fans can find themes of contagion, revenge, psychosexual warfare, and straight up grindhouse all within this movie. “The Perfection” attempts these rapid transitions by neatly dividing up the film into four distinct parts, sometimes literally rewinding the film to pull back its many layers.
Does this strategy work? Not always. But it’s a hell of a ride. “The Perfection” packs a wallop of a punch with its wild twists and turns. Viewers will find themselves both squirming and dumbstruck by everything thrown their way. It’s truly a viewing experience like none other.
The film’s leading ladies are what takes “The Perfection” to the next level. Browning brings a sultry sophistication to Lizzie. The audience is left wanting just a little something more each time she graces the screen. Williams brings some strong “Get Out” vibes to her performance. Charlotte comes across as the kind of woman who will either pick you up from the airport, or turn on you in the blink of an eye — but you’re never quite sure which it is. Between “Get Out” and “The Perfection,” Williams is ready to helm her own horror franchise, a lá Jaime Lee Curtis.
While it might be too early to get a solid reading on its viewership quite yet, “The Perfection” is busting down the doors for a new genre of original content to find its home on Netflix. It’s the type of movie that needs to be seen to be believed. One that your friends can’t wait to discuss with you.
