The movie really needs to buy into this concept considerably further, rather than gently nodding its head. It feels like the kind of horror-comedy which would rather invite you in for a nice cup of tea than horrify you. The film has on several occasions been compared to Ben Wheatleys Sightseers, and it is similar in tone and presentation. Its a veritable rogues gallery of faux shamans, rebirthers, skeevy new-agers, and snake oil salesmen. A self-help addict unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach. Lou dreams of self improvement and a better life. With Val periodically leaving voicemails to let her mom know she is alright, they make their first stop at a wilderness retreat led by Ben. 90% of the film. This isnt a cause I particularly care about: if not my cup of tea, Im sure some people find them helpful. 3.7 3 Ratings. Well, eventually Lou sees the writing that's on the wall and what Val truly is, and Lou doesn't hold back and ends up this was her journey all along. Most of the films kills are not overly violent, focusing on the end result as opposed to an abundance of gore. Kickstarter funded, but confidently directed, handsomely shot and played with perfect pitch by the two leads, A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is a homegrown horror . A Serial Killers Guide to Life opens midway through an interview with Chuck Noah (Ben Lloyd-Hughes). What A Serial Killer's Guide to Life attempts is a very tricky balancing act. Val is attractive, tall, headstrong, a woman who knows who she is and is forth coming about it. Weve got a #spoiler free review ready but, more importantly, check it out when it drops on digital next week. Lou does, however, notice a spec of blood on Vals face. Nature Therapy Ben. Lous life consists of mind-numbing routine, whether at her low-paying job as a shop clerk or at home with her overbearing mother. Sinead Matthews . It took me 27 years to finally understand THAT scene in The Shining, 5 Grimm Fairy Tale Stories That Would Make Great Horror Movies, Explore the haunt known as Hell House LLC, Trauma is the Serbian Film of 2018 [Review], 15 modern indie horror movies to put on your radar, Kids vs Aliens is a PSA for holding onto what you loved as a kid, Final Girls Ep 275: Unpacking Possession, Hilarious and gory, Legions shows slapstick & scares are Fabins forte, The Kids Arent Alright in Theres Something Wrong With The Children, Skinamarink blazes a terrifying new trail for low-budget horror, Lots of, seemingly, hyperbolic things are being thrown around about #SKINAMARINK. She throws her food and then herself on the floor. Whilst the two women possess significant differences, one cant help but notice Lou has a well-hidden darkness lurking within her. [6], Shooting on a ridiculously tight budget meant problem solving continuously. Production Company Forward Motion Pictures. | A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is the debut feature from actor-turned-director Staten Cousins Roe, one that is sure to join the ranks of fellow recent British cult horrors Prevenge and Sightseers. Either she regards them as a curse on humanity with their vapid schemes, or she simply wants to dispose of the competition. There is a specific choice made in the final act of the film that calls into question much of what has been seen previously. Set to be released in the US and Canada on iTunes and Digital HD on January 13, 2020, this film is the debut feature from Writer-Director Staten Cousins Roe and was produced by Forward Motion Pictures, which he runs alongside his wife Poppy Roe. Watch A Serial Killer's Guide to Life Official Trailer 1. When Lou and Val finally make it to Chuck's house, however, what they find is not the man they nor we expect. A Serial Killers Guide To Life follows Lou Farnt (Katie Brayben): a 30-something, self-help addict who wants nothing more than to escape her overly controlling mother and the dead-end seaside town where she grew up. On inspiration, Lou decides to join her. Self-help addict Lou (Katie Brayben . How to Get Your Book or Comic Reviewed on HNN. "[14], Commenting on the musical score, Josh Sandy of The Mancunion, the University of Manchester student newspaper, said it "is packed full of orchestral pieces. If youve met any of these characters (or people who swear by their wares), youll likely have more than a few wry chuckles during these scenes. Comedy. A well-written, shot, and acted darkly humorous film. Tags 2019 A SERIAL KILLER'S GUIDE TO LIFE Ben Lloyd-Hughes Katie Brayben Poppy Roe Sarah Ball Sinead Matthews Staten Cousins Roe Tomiwa Edun. When James Franco made his soap opera debut in 2009, it was as a serial killer named Franco on ABC's General Hospital. This is all the more hilarious for being real, I suppose. https://bit.ly/3iEQTqW, Theres Something Wrong with the Children has a lot more going on for it than your average creepy-kid #horror #movie. Check it out if it sounds like something you might be into, maybe youll see something in it that I didnt. Even though we hear the individual struggling with Val, Lou doesnt concern herself with investigating the odd sounds emanating from inside the building. If you are a life-coach you won't like it! It sounds like Val has a score to settle with the self-help expert. She has a memory of herself killing her mother before leaving on this trip, with the image intercutting with that of Val murdering her mother. The next day, Lou leaves with Val in a car, for the purpose of visiting various types of self-help gurus for research. The thing is though, Val is a cold-blooded serial killer who enjoys taking out whoever she wants in several gruesome ways. The best part was the end, I'll never get that time back again, only pleasurable part was seeing the actress who played Val, her big eyes and appeal kept me from turning it off. I didnt think that things got particularly interesting until maybe the last 20 minutes or so and I am still not sure if I liked the big twist at the end or not as it reminded me of the ending of High Tension in a lot of ways (which I despised and feel ruined the entire movie for me). Rebirthing Cynthia. The real highlight of the film is the interplay between Brayben and Roe. www.thehollywoodnews.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. But Lou cannot, and the two lay exhausted in the field. It seems clear that writer-director Roe holds a strong, likely personal grudge against self-help tutors, in order to create a movie which is largely based on showing their flaws, and then killing them off. Lou Farnt (Brayben) is stuck in her life, with a dead-end job, no apparent friends to speak of, and still living with her domineering mother (Ball). [16], 2019 film written and directed by Staten Cousins Roe, "[Review] 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Life' Takes Life Coaching in A New Direction", "How we made A Serial Killer's Guide To Life", "[Exclusive] Arrow Releasing Bloody Comedy 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Life' in January 2020; Watch the Trailer! Lou is momentarily frozen by this unnecessary guilt trip. SICK seems to check all the boxesstoked. And often these targets of the satire seem as though they are barn doors broad enough that they barely need to be spoofed. Had the pleasure of viewing A Serial Killers Guide to Life and Grimmfest this year followed by a Q&A with its director and it's certainly been a film to make a lasting impression. The message behind is hidden n this movie is totally underrated. To have achieved this in just a 2 week shoot on a modest indie budget takes exceptional vision and talent so expect more gems from this excellent film making team. User Ratings Despite this, given his self-serving tone, the scene suggests hes more interested in helping himself than he is other people. It has a very interesting theme (which I won't spoil) that actually speaks for itself with very strong attention to detail, top performances and slick direction. Serial murder meets self-help in A Serial Killer's Guide to Life - a darkly satirical cross between Thelma & Louise and Sightseers from the creative team behind the award-winning short film This Way Out (Best Comedy, Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2013). In the space of just a few moments, the film provides a clear sense of Louises character and her mundane struggles. Awards Did all the same people praising it watch the same movie that I did? And on that note, these words also apply to the main character. Lou Farnt: It did feel pretty empowering, you know? In real life, Cousins-Roe is married to actress Poppy Roe. Outwardly, Lou is quiet, shy, and socially awkward. When she does, her reaction is little more than a shrug, admitting it feels quite empowering to kill. Poppy Roe as Val is what will draw you in, because shes positively electric, but as Lou, Katie Brayben absolutely transforms from a milksop to a fully-realized person, and its brilliant to see someone grab life by the horns and smack it in the forehead with a rolling pin. 2019. Lou and Val, the Thelma and Louise of this film, respectively, are distinctly different. For its one that most viewers will see coming, especially if they are familiar with a couple of cult movies from 1999 and 2003, the latter reviewed here. Her mother is appalled by this notion. So this naturally limited my buy-in to the concept here. I wasnt expecting this movie to be a slasher flick or anything, but I was hoping there would have been a lot more death scenes and action in general. These scenarios are all interconnected and drive the story forward, without overstaying their welcome. Lover of good beer, bourbon, and horror flicks. Lou is a pitiful woman that most people (including her overbearing mother) treat like garbage and she just takes it and tries to go on with her life. A Serial Killers Guide to Life Leaves a Trail of Bodies and Gallows Humor. Roe's Val isn't your typical killer, either: she's guarded, yes, but also nervous. But, you guys. Lou stabs Val, who earlier had called the police in an attempt to frame Lou and escape. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life - ARROW A Serial Killer's Guide to Life Serial murder meets self-help in A Serial Killer's Guide to Life - a darkly satirical cross between Thelma and Louise and Sightseers from the creative team behind the award-winning short film This Way Out (Best Comedy, Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2013). A Serial Killers Guide to Life is based on Roes 2013 much-acclaimed short film This Way Out. Sian Clifford . Val goes to her, and Lou angrily wrestles with her and puts Val in a chokehold. I absolutely loved it. And a little murder a lot of murder. Lou is initially oblivious to what is going on, seeming to be overwhelmed by her newfound freedom. Weve seen this story beat used more effectively in other films. Wow just 9 stars and not a full 10 you ask? Your email address will not be published. One aspect of the film didnt really work for me, and holds it back from a higher rating. Sounds interesting, right? Beautiful shot scenery and a star making performance from Poppy Roe. Writer, director, editor Staten Cousins-Roe has created a wonderfully dark world as seen through the eyes of Lou, a young woman trapped at home with a frightningly needy mother. That could have served as a clue to what would come by the end, but when that end arrived, it was unsatisfying and felt like I was hustled out of 90 wasted minutes that could have been something better, without spending a single Euro more on budget. A Serial Killers Guide to Life is structured in vignettes, each one corresponding to a platitude from Chuck Knoahs teachings. Val urges Lou to kill her. Performed in New York 1922 and an English edition published in 1923. A Serial Killers Guide To Life starts out as we begin to see the life of Lou Farnt (Katie Brayben) and her mundane existence and striving to understand her purpose within this world. [Brayben and Roe] portray these irredeemable characters in a likable way. As the road trip continues, the body count increases. https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1084180975-modernhorrors-death-dying-and-other-things-episode-56-message.mp3. As the pair set off after item 3 begins, a boom mic is clearly reflected in the windows of the car. . Catherine Called Birdy. Hence, a Val plans their route, which culminates in a visit to Chuck Knoahs country home. On iTunes in the UK: https://apple.co/2YbAz2d On iTunes in the US: https://apple.co/2YbAz2d On iTunes in Canada: https://apple.co/2YbAz2d Meet Lou Farnt: a 3. Despite a final-act story beat that may not resonate with all viewers, A Serial Killers Guide to Life is a worthwhile pitch-black comedy with engaging character work from its two leads. At a different self-help guru's lecture, Lou sees a middle-aged women who strikes her attention. I admit..the movie is a complete B rated film. Katie Brayben has the same gormless quality as Saskia Reeves did in that film, someone easily led in the wake of a more dominant unstable personality. Lou, in contrast to Val, is meekly awkward. Stuff happens. Izzy. By contrast, Poppy Roe comes sharp-tongued and self-assured. Katie Braybens performance as Lou is all soft-spoken, people pleasing ineffectuality. Lou takes her up and next thing we know, they hit the road At this point we are 10 min. Smart and clever, A Serial Killers Guide to Life is a brilliantly well-executed dark comedy. Colin encouraged me after watching a rough cut, giving some golden advice. We also kindly got edit notes from Julian Doyle (editor of Brazil, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail), which supported the comic timing beautifully. However, it is very entertaining. Katie Brayben really stands out as Lou and you cant help but feel for her. Quite simply a great piece of work. Addicted to self-help guides and guru's Lou becomes beguiled by a mysterious women (Val) who seems to have it all, amazing self confidence, clear life goals and a action plan to achieve them. Marcus (Owain Rhys Davies), the vibrational healer and his herbal relaxant certainly needed that bread knife. I'm not sure why it has such a low rating to be honest! Lous only escape from the drudgery comes from her reliance on self-help in all its various forms. Don't turn it off early as it's worth watching through to the end. Director: Lena Dunham. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. He complimented "its two fantastic leads, Katie Brayben and Poppy Roe. Created by Poppy Roe Poppy Roe. Watch jet-black comedy film! New adventure is an escape and Val is just dark side of the actress. 30 something, self-help addict, Lou wants nothing more than to escape her overly controlling mother and the dead-end seaside town where she grew up. Firstly, how long you see the end twist coming before its announced. The two finally arrive at Chuck Knoah's estate. I also really liked Ben Lloyd-Hughes as the self-help guru that Lou is enamored with. SYNOPSIS: Lou is a poor, pitiful woman that is obsessed with a self-help guru. It doesn't look like it was made with a ton of money and one can see where the corners were cut but it only adds to the brilliance, in my view. Whos watching? Lou Farnt (Brayben) is stuck in her life, with a dead-end job, no apparent friends to speak of, and still living with her domineering mother (Ball). https://modernhorrors.com/the-kids-arent-alright-in-theres-something-wrong-with-the-children/. A self-help addict unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach.A self-help addict unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach.A self-help addict unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach. Its not until later that we discover shes a serial killer. After premiering at film festivals in 2019, A Serial Killer's Guide to Life was released by Arrow Films to digital media / video on demand on 13 January 2020,[1] including the streaming channels Amazon Prime and Hulu and the cable channel Showtime. Lou is quiet and shy, not blind. Although fairly predictable, the story still keeps you watching and wondering where this little journey will go next. The duo are soon big news, their exploits providing fodder for tabloids and talk radio as they barrel toward their final destination. In which case a lot of people are in trouble. "[13] Bryan Yentz of Rue Morgue felt the same way. https://modernhorrors.com/skinamarink-review. Chuck Knoah. The film ends with a repeat of the opening scene of Lou, walking outdoors, wearing earbuds and listening to a recorded Knoah lecture. She didnt give a fig, and seemed to be an even sharper-edged version of Phoebe Waller Bridges Fleabag (although that might be due to Fleabags Sian Clifford in a role as a rebirthing coach). Val makes her an offer to be Lou's life coach and is going along for the ride. Metacritic Reviews. On paper it does, but I just thought that something was lost between the script and the actual execution of things. Apple TV & Privacy Far from a mastermind, she acts knowing that eventually things will fall apart. Loser, self-help junkie living as a 'slave' to her deranged mother If you appreciate low budget independent films then you'll have no reason for enjoying this one. Ahead of seeing Roes film, Id read quite a few reviews comparing it to Alice Lowes 2016 black comedy, Prevenge, and theyre not without validity: both films see a downtrodden, put-upon British woman in her mid-30s finding her way in the world by murdering those whove either actively or inactively kept her down. "[15], The film's writer-director, Staten Cousins Roe, was nominated for the 2019 FrightFest Screen Genre Rising Star Award. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is structured in vignettes, each one corresponding to a platitude from Chuck Knoah's teachings. Even the stabs at the pitiful absurdities of self-help gurus wasn't nearly as compelling as it should or could have been; in that sense, the writing lacked inexcusably. If there was ever a 9 that is definitely 10's across the board, I'll forever be upset that Lou isn't my life coach. film review, Writer and director Staten Cousins Roe sets the stage for his feature debut before introducing us to one of the films leads, Louise (Katie Brayben). Ffs, that's coming-of-age, road-trip movie-making 101! Support. Life is like a box of chocolates, Noah said, all the crappy ones get left behind.. Almost pumping into a man walking in the opposite direction, she is immediately brought out of her bubble. 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