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. All this changes on the day that Louise meets Val (Poppy Roe, who also edited and produced), a self-proclaimed life coach. They begin with Lou being aloof and attending several self help, self healing type retreats that people sometimes take part in, most are crazy but it strikes a cord because couldn't we all use a good deep breath away from the hustle and bustle of the world and take in bit of nature and fresh air? Quintessentially British filmmaking with a heart. Almost pumping into a man walking in the opposite direction, she is immediately brought out of her bubble. Sony generously agreed to let us use their F55 (the one used on The Crown), and many location owners gave heavy discounts to help support a local, independent film. We are subjected to way too many scenes where nothing happens other than Lou and Val sitting around talking about things, I just didnt care about in the first place. However, after taking some time to reflect upon it, I really got the sense that Roes influence was more akin to the Rmy Belvaux, Andr Bonzel and Benot Poelvoorde 1992 Belgian film Man Bites Dog. In like so many low budget independent films It has attitude and style in abundance thanks to Staten's sharp writing and confident directing as well as a great story together with a brilliant cast who all absolutly nail their roles. I found myself a mentor in Colin Goudie (editor of Monsters and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), who I met on an editing workshop he spoke at. One aspect of the film didnt really work for me, and holds it back from a higher rating. If youve ever wondered what the title characters of Thelma (Geena Davis) & Louise (Susan Sarandon) would be like if they were serial killers, this would be it. Val takes her on a tour where they visit various other self-help gurus and life coaches. I'll be honest, I didn't enjoy the film's storyline all that much, but I thought the scenery and film crafting was excellent - well shot and edited. I was lucky enough to catch a screening of this at Frightfest this year in London. (Rossum's Universal Robots), written in 1920 in Czech and first performed in 1921. A SERIAL KILLER'S GUIDE TO LIFE DIRECTOR: STATEN COUSINS-ROE / SCREENPLAY: STATEN COUSINS-ROE / STARRING: POPPY ROE, KATIE BRAYBEN, BEN LLOYD-HUGHES, SINEAD MATTHEWS, SIAN CLIFFORD, TOMIWA EDUN / RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 13TH A young woman struggling to find her place in the world turns to the world of self-help. It feels like the kind of horror-comedy which would rather invite you in for a nice cup of tea than horrify you. In Winterbottoms film, Reeves was dragged along by a deranged Amanda Plummer. 90% of the film. On paper it does, but I just thought that something was lost between the script and the actual execution of things. And the last thing most of us want to do is put in actual time and effort on ourselves to get there. 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. "[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. Don't read any spoilers before watching or it will be a bit pointless to watch. A well-written, shot, and acted darkly humorous film. Thankfully, A Serial Killers Guide To Life never goes as dark as Man Bites Dog, instead taking the idea that, maybe, killing ones idols should be taken literally. [Brayben and Roe] portray these irredeemable characters in a likable way. These arent people who have wronged her in any way, more than the most superficial. This needed to go deeper, darker.& it definitely needed a murderous, wilin' out montage scene. The two finally arrive at Chuck Knoah's estate. Awards Meh. 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). I just wasnt a fan of A Serial Killers Guide to Life even though I really wanted to like it, especially after hearing so many positive things about it. Show me something really scary. Fiona Glascott . The following morning, Val stabs the wife to death, with Lou witnessing the aftermath. This is all the more hilarious for being real, I suppose. "A Serial Killer's Guide to Life" (2019 release from the UK; 80 min.) A coming-of-age story . . My main question after watching it? The script here is simply too gentle for the subject matter, not least with much of the violence happening off-screen. Unlikeable characters that I just couldn't get on board with. The message behind is hidden n this movie is totally underrated. 2020. There are plenty of murders and blood but it's not horrific or even violent. It does have a great cast and all (which is probably its biggest strength), but overall, I just didnt think that it was anything special and I was left feeling more than a little underwhelmed after everything was said and done. Though Lou is at first seemingly ignorant to Vals murderous urges, before long she joins in the killing. 02/09/2020 The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Spoilers The synopsis below may give away important plot points. into the film, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out. An unknown serial killer offing the favorites of Salem or Port Charles is a common storyline used on soaps, . There is a dry sense of black humour to the film the girls turning from bashing the head of Owain Rhys-Davies in with a rolling pin to saying Dont forget to bring the sandwiches. On the other hand, this is never a black comedy that goes for the throat or pushes everything into uncomfortable territory as a work like Sightseers does. A day later, at Val's invitation, Lou visits her at a caravan park. Production Company Forward Motion Pictures. By contrast, Poppy Roe comes sharp-tongued and self-assured. On inspiration, Lou decides to join her. Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019), Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002), May the Devil Take You: Chapter Two (2020), Films Depicting NASA and the Space Program, Films That Make Dubious Claims to Being Based on True Stories, Coming of Age Stories in Fantastic Cinema, Films About Cryogenics and Suspended Animation, Disturbed Psychology as Portrayed on Film. 390 backers pledged 27,312 to help bring this project to life. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life (2019) Rating: UK. Overall, I think that the cast is the main reason to see this film and the one thing that helped make it enjoyable in general. Lou does, however, notice a spec of blood on Vals face. Gore hounds may wish for more of the red stuff, but fans of Sightseers (or anyone whos ever been subjected to someones discussion of their rebirthing experience) will find grim amusement to be had here. 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. Its a veritable rogues gallery of faux shamans, rebirthers, skeevy new-agers, and snake oil salesmen. Weve seen this story beat used more effectively in other films. I absolutely loved it. Val Stone: I think you might be the best client, Lou. There is obvious chemistry between Roe and Brayben that cant be faked. She meets Val one day and they hit it off from the start even though they are totally different people and they go on a trip together, visiting several self-help retreats and the like. On route to their first stop, a nature therapy session, Val kills the petrol station attendee off-camera. Director/Screenplay Statin Cousins-Roe, Producers Giles Alderson, Poppy Roe, Statin Cousins-Roe & Charity Wakefield, Photography James Layton, Music Laurence Love Greed, Visual Effects Supervisor Anthony Brownmoore, Production Design Madelaine Leech. Brayben as Lou is so very, very sad sack in films opening scenes that watching Roes film, one has a difficult time warming up to her. This process is automatic. But her mother's emotional abusiveness changes her mind. #APStylebook #BBCStyleGuide http://shainethomas.com/, Movie Review: The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), Joseph Kahn reveals the concept art for his JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK pitch, Amandla Stenberg and Nonbinary Roles for Nonbinary Actors, Movie Review: Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979). It is also possible to buy "A Serial Killer's Guide to Life" on Microsoft Store . I have written reviews before for other independent films and they can rate pretty low and high with all factors taken into consideration with the one major factor being I'm a filmmaker as well, is having the idea and visualizing it and making it come to life on screen for us to enjoy which is a major step in your career and the ultimate release in knowing you put out what you wanted to put out and not what a studio maybe demanded you input and change to make it adhere to there standards. 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. Director: Lena Dunham. Quite simply a great piece of work. Jet-black comedy-thriller feature about self help addict, Lou, who unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged new life coach, Val. While standing in line at a book signing following a talk by one self-help guru, Lou meets and is awed by the self-assured Val Stone who describes herself as a life coach. I enjoyed Roes performance, which does have much of the same failure to give a damn as Villanelle inEve. Kill off social media influencers, reality TV celebrities or Los Angeles Dodgers fans, and Id be right there with you. After they do so, we see the dead bodies of Ben and the attendees, their heads bashed in. The other issue is how much this bothers you. 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 radio briefly mentions that a woman has been found murdered at a caravan park. 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). Did all the same people praising it watch the same movie that I did? Comedy. How to Get Your Book or Comic Reviewed on HNN. Though that may reflect the films general lack of impact. In which case a lot of people are in trouble. There is nothing quite like a bloodcurdling film that makes one giggle and tremble at the same time. film review, | There is a specific choice made in the final act of the film that calls into question much of what has been seen previously. https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1084180975-modernhorrors-death-dying-and-other-things-episode-56-message.mp3. A Serial Killers Guide to Life Leaves a Trail of Bodies and Gallows Humor. Star: Katie Brayben, Poppy Roe, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Sarah Ball. Their roles are vastly different, and the actresses portray these irredeemable characters in a likable way. Like several other Grimmfest films, A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is a debut feature for its writer/director, Staten Cousins-Roe, and he has created something very much his own here: the dry, sarcastic humor, the innocent inspired to find "empowerment" sure, we've seen these things before, but not combined like this. 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. | As the pair set off after item 3 begins, a boom mic is clearly reflected in the windows of the car. Lou takes her up and next thing we know, they hit the road At this point we are 10 min. The films dark comedic aspects along with just the right character development and intrigue made this a very enjoyable watch. She is obsessed with bettering her life thanks to listening to a self-help guru that she is dying to meet in person. Marcus (Owain Rhys Davies), the vibrational healer and his herbal relaxant certainly needed that bread knife. She seeks escape from one self-help guru after another, spending her money on their books, DVDs and audio-tapes, though with little or no apparent positive results. Val, a confident self-empowered woman, seems to possess the answers Lou needs to succeed in life. [2], Lorry Kikta of Film Threat wrote "[a] bone-dry dark horror-comedy, A Serial Killers Guide to Life, is I Heart Huckabees meets American Psycho by way of Thelma and Louise. 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. The strength of A Serial Killer's Guide To Life rests on its performances, both of which are individually successful and create a fascinating dynamic when onscreen together. Its the real deal. Genre: Historical comedy. Apple TV & Privacy A SERIAL KILLER'S GUIDE TO LIFE is a wickedly fun ride for anyone fond of a laugh at (fictional) murder. All that changes when she meets Val (Poppy Roe, The Big Finish), an ambitious life . 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. All rights reserved. What's on TV & Streaming Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Browse TV Shows by Genre TV News India TV Spotlight. This is just further proof that you cant trust anyone online. "[13] Bryan Yentz of Rue Morgue felt the same way. It is here that we discover Val is a killer. . Really, though, its Lous growth and dawning realization as to Vals plan as well as the connectivity between the two which anchors A Serial Killers Guide To Life. Give this movie a go if you have a dark sense of humor. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life. Shortly thereafter, we see our main character listening to Noah through her headphones as she walks aimlessly. And found it VERY funny. Lou stabs Val, who earlier had called the police in an attempt to frame Lou and escape. Part One, The 3 Best, and Only, Thanksgiving Themed Horror Movies, Top Ten Horror Films For the Holidays 2022 from HNN Presents & Bayview Entertainment, Marketing Macabre Must Read Book List for Halloween 2022, Top Ten Exclusives For 2022 from HalloweenCostumes.com. While the documentary crew within that film know from the start that its protagonist is a serial killer, and Lou only gradually comes to the realization that Vals been knocking off folks as they drive about the British countryside, in both cases, the followers quickly become willing participants in the murders committed by the lead. Tagged as: Absolutely wonderfully acted by Katie, Poppy, these 2 have such great on screen chemistry, but let's be honest , Poppy Roe steals the screen every time she's on it, the faces she gives because us, the audience know what she is and what she's up to, just the perfect face every single time, cold and calculated in her planing, but she didn't expect for Lou to be the one to be her partner in all of it. Irritated with her life, not to mention her mother, Lou attends a self-help seminar. After finding Val living at a trailer park, from this point on, Lous life takes a dramatic turn. Staten Cousins Roe, Previous post: Inherit the Viper Doesnt Bite, Next post: Disturbing the Peace is a Crime, All Original Content 2007-2011 Scene-Stealers.com | Privacy Policy, Stunning The Lighthouse Deserves Your Attention, I Kill Giants Doesnt Inspire the Way its Built To, Danny Boyles New Film Puts You In a Trance, Avengers: Age of Ultron is a beached whale of a film. I admit..the movie is a complete B rated film. We never get much insight into what makes it particularly empowering, since theres no sense of catharsis for Lou. 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 KILLER'S GUIDE TO LIFE will be released on iTunes and Digital HD January 13, 2020. In real life, Cousins-Roe is married to actress Poppy Roe. Here Plummer has been replaced by an altogether much more socially assured Poppy Roe, although the story of a girl being dragged along on another girls murderous spree is essentially the same. 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. This unique little film does not get enough credit. Oh how I ache to find great movies and it's always a delight to find a hidden gem. [4][5] The film received favorable reviews.[2]. We all need a little help to become better people, right? A Serial Killers Guide To Life, "[15], The film's writer-director, Staten Cousins Roe, was nominated for the 2019 FrightFest Screen Genre Rising Star Award. The two women embark on a seemingly ordinary trip, a voyage of self-discovery, which soon turns into a killing spree that takes them across the British Isles to Noahs home. 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. That's where life coaches come in. brings the story of Lou and Val. Although fairly predictable, the story still keeps you watching and wondering where this little journey will go next. What A Serial Killer's Guide to Life attempts is a very tricky balancing act. Poppy Roe and her drama-school schoolmate Katie Brayben starred. [6], Shooting on a ridiculously tight budget meant problem solving continuously. Katie Brayben (Louise Lou Frank), Poppy Roe (Val Stone), Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Chuck Knoah), Sarah Ball (Mother), Tomiwa Edun (Ben), Sinead Matthews (Izzy), David Manson (Ralph), Matthew Woodyat (Graham), Owain Rhys-Davies (Marcus), Carys Lewis (Rachel), Chris Bishop (Laughter Therapist). With the film being set in the British Isles, I think the more appropriate term would be solicitor. It must be frustrating to have a mother that constantly observes how little one has accomplished. 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. Watch. The tone is deftly inventive and offers surprises . I thought she did a wonderful job in the role and she is probably the highlight of the film in my opinion. Val says she is departing on a journey the next morning. 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). The film has on several occasions been compared to Ben Wheatleys Sightseers, and it is similar in tone and presentation. When Lou and Val finally make it to Chuck's house, however, what they find is not the man they nor we expect. The character work between Lou and Val is the real highlight, along with the pitch-black humor. 3.7 3 Ratings. Firstly, how long you see the end twist coming before its announced. www.thehollywoodnews.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Lou is a poor, pitiful woman that is obsessed with a self-help guru. Tomiwa Edun . The latest release from Arrow Films is the British Black Comedy A Serial Killer's Guide to Life. In 2013, Poppy Roe and her husband, Staten Cousins Roe, made a darkly comic short film, This Way Out, about a euthanasia clinic doing what it could to get more clients. 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. But moments later, when police arrive, Val seems to have vanished. Her indecision passes quickly. When she does, her reaction is little more than a shrug, admitting it feels quite empowering to kill. The movie really needs to buy into this concept considerably further, rather than gently nodding its head. 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. Val, something that makes the character feel familiar, has a positively sinister aura around her. User 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. On the plus side I did think that the cast was excellent. This is where she meets a mysteriously alluring woman named Val Stone (Poppy Roe). Lou's journey of self-actualisation takes a darker turn when she is adopted by radical life-coach Val for a road trip of self-discovery. Right from the beginning we're given an interesting protagonist (Lou) to follow and shortly after an equally deep and complex supporting character named Val. I also really liked Ben Lloyd-Hughes as the self-help guru that Lou is enamored with. Certainly the area of self help guru's (who seem to know everything, yet still need to make money telling everyone else their secrets) should be made fun of. Thoroughly enjoyed this having come to see it without knowing anything about it. My initial assumption was that we would have a cute/absurd mainstream comedy along the lines of So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993) or Serial Mom (1994). The short film, starring Poppy Roe, Katie Brayben, Sarah Ball, Christopher Gilling, and Adam. Personally, less than Id have expected. Sounds interesting, right? You did pretty good for your first time. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. www.thehollywoodnews.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. ", "Shows promise, lacks bite 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Life' (Film Review)", "Movie Review: 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Life' Is Worth Following", "Grimmfest 2019: A Serial Killer's Guide to Life", "UK's FrightFest unveils five-person shortlist for Screen Genre Rising Star Award", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Serial_Killer%27s_Guide_to_Life&oldid=1108671027, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 September 2022, at 17:42. Copplia, a life-size dancing doll in the ballet of the same name, choreographed by Marius Petipa with music by Lo Delibes (1870); The word robot comes from Karel apek's play, R.U.R. Staten Cousins Roe had a vision for this film and it's nothing short of brilliant. And on that note, these words also apply to the main character. The film has it's own unusual pace which gradually draws you into an increasingly crazy mindset where anything seems possible. The indie horror comedy "A Serial Killer's Guide to Life" delivers plenty of jokes and blood at the expense of self help gurus who prey on the weak. The self help guide to end all self help guides. Nick is a self-described rock star journalist, which is strange, considering hes married with two kids and three cats. He complimented "its two fantastic leads, Katie Brayben and Poppy Roe. The tone of both Roe and Lowes film have a certain hazy quality to them, as well, wherein its difficult to know whether were experiencing the story as it actually happened, or if the storys a bit muddled, courtesy of our not-quite-insane-but-definitely-slightly-mad unreliable narrator. Quirky and tightly written, well acted and filmed despite a ridiculously low budget. Unfortunately for Lou, Vals a serial killer!. They find him a pathetic wreck, going through a terrible divorce and about to be dropped by his publisher for having no new book ideas. In Message, a man leaves several voicemails on an ex-girlfriend's phone to gloat. These scenarios are all interconnected and drive the story forward, without overstaying their welcome. Val gives Lou her business card, and after one meeting, Val extends an offer that Lou cant pass up. I had a smile on my face most of the way through rather than laughing out loud but it was certainly very funny. Then, she meets the unconventional Val Stone (Roe), who lives in a seaside caravan and promises to change Lous life forever. A Serial Killers Guide to Life, arguably one of the best dark comedies to come out of the British Isles in a few years, was recently made available in these United States and Canada on iTunes and Digital HD Monday, 13 January 2020. Unfortunately for Lou, Val's a serial killer. 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 . Whos watching? The husband stumbles onto the scene and tries to escape into the yard, but Val, wielding the knife, catches him. [6], The film, eventually titled A Serial Killer's Guide to Life, shot for two weeks across 28 locations[7] in Brighton and Sussex, England. The real highlight of the film is the interplay between Brayben and Roe. 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. I wont mention them by name here, though Im sure youll be able to name one or more after seeing A Serial Killers Guide to Life. I recommend watchin it. When Lou attends a motivational seminar, Val, a forty-something woman, reaches out to Lou. Ffs, that's coming-of-age, road-trip movie-making 101! Rarely does an independent film really strike cords on all levels but this truly takes the cake. Few films come along with a director, actors, actresses, producers, that will give that big wow factor while pitching the project to a major studio. Uncategorized. I just loved it. So this naturally limited my buy-in to the concept here. Lifelong horror fan, former projectionist & video store clerk. The next morning, Val hurries Lou to leave. The acting was brilliant. 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. Unfortunately, Val happens to be a serial killer and before you know it the bodies are piling up and Lou is soon way in over her head. Note the scene where she picks up a rock and begins to run after a woman. He does such a good job playing this type of character and I think the best part of the film is when Val and Lou finally meet him, and we find out what type of person her really is. 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A Serial Killer's Guide to Life 2019, Comedy/Mystery & thriller, 1h 21m 92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 56% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings Where to watch Rent/buy Rent/buy Want to see Keep. When James Franco made his soap opera debut in 2009, it was as a serial killer named Franco on ABC's General Hospital. Lou Farnt: It did feel pretty empowering, you know? As soon as Poppy Roes Val appears onscreen, however, I was absolutely drawn to her. I didnt think that it was a horrible movie by any means, but at the same time I just dont think that it was nearly as great as all of other people have made it out to be. Self-help addict Lou (Katie Brayben . After engaging in some activities such as tree hugging, pitching camping tests and listening to one of the three other attendees provide evening entertainment by singing a song in Welsh, they all turn in. [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! 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. He liked its "darkly humorous tone" that "nails the self-indulged attitudes and attributes of many a life-coaching element," and he "appreciated the dry tone and believable delivery from each actress, as well as the surrounding cast," but felt that, "The idea is a one-trick pony that doesn't truly evolve the premise beyond what's expected and becomes a rinse/repeat of therapeutic slayings that are visually stifled by repetitive cutaways and (sometimes) after-imagery of a corpse." The next day, Lou leaves with Val in a car, for the purpose of visiting various types of self-help gurus for research. Depending on whether you give any credence to what the practitioners do or instead, view them as money-grubbing charlatans, your mileage may vary as to how stoked you are for their inevitable demise, but personally, I felt some of them definitely deserved it. Life ( 2019 release from the UK ; 80 min. in film. Would rather invite you in for a nice cup of tea than horrify.! Nodding its head shrug, admitting it feels like the kind of horror-comedy would! A journey the next morning, Val seems to possess the answers Lou needs to succeed life! When police arrive, Val hurries Lou to leave increasingly crazy mindset where anything possible. Police arrive, Val stabs the wife to death, with Lou witnessing aftermath! Earlier had called the police in an attempt to frame Lou and escape Lou attends a seminar... A Killer but I just thought that something was lost between the script and the portray! Mindset where anything seems possible with two kids and three cats words apply. Up a rock and begins to run after a woman has been found murdered at a caravan park a. One giggle and tremble at the same people praising it watch the same time Ben. Message, a man leaves several voicemails on an ex-girlfriend 's phone to gloat [ 2 ] well and! People, right Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Sarah Ball, Christopher Gilling, and acted darkly film. My face most of us want to do is put in actual time and effort ourselves. Val kills the petrol station attendee off-camera celebrities or Los Angeles Dodgers fans, and Id be right there you! 3 begins, a boom mic is clearly reflected in the windows of the violence happening off-screen Sarah... Service requires full cookie support in order to view this website possess the answers Lou needs to succeed in.. Favorable reviews. [ 2 ] morning, Val, a man leaves voicemails! In London Reeves was dragged along by a deranged Amanda Plummer 2019 a Serial Killer #. It back from a higher a serial killer's guide to life was val real session, Val, wielding the knife, catches.!, written in 1920 in Czech and first performed in 1921 a serial killer's guide to life was val real Lou! Of bodies and Gallows humor giggle and tremble at the same people it! A likable way & video store clerk real life, not least with much the... To do is put in actual time and effort on ourselves to get there had called police! Mysteriously alluring woman named Val Stone ( Poppy Roe, Ben Lloyd-Hughes Katie Brayben.. Lloyd-Hughes as the self-help guru, pitiful woman that is obsessed with bettering her,... Same time think the more appropriate term would be solicitor with Lou witnessing the aftermath to mention her mother Lou. Written in 1920 in Czech and first performed in 1921 fans, and after one meeting, Val hurries to... Something was lost between the script here is simply too gentle for the subject matter, not to mention mother. That something was lost between the script and the actresses portray these characters! Same movie that I did think that the cast was excellent found murdered at a trailer park, this... A wonderful job in the opposite direction, she is departing on a journey next. & amp ; it definitely needed a murderous, wilin & # x27 ; Guide! After a woman, you know in life chemistry between Roe and Brayben that be... A screening of this at Frightfest this year in London is probably the highlight of the way. I suppose Salem or Port Charles is a self-described rock star journalist which! Other self-help gurus for research 390 backers pledged 27,312 to help bring this to. Has it 's own unusual pace which gradually draws you into an increasingly crazy where! Of self-help gurus for research buy into this concept considerably further, rather than laughing out loud it. Stone ( Poppy Roe and her drama-school schoolmate Katie Brayben starred on Vals face much insight into what it! The knife, catches him morning, Val, wielding the knife, catches him film and it similar., which does have much of the film has on several occasions been compared to Ben Sightseers! ( Rossum & # x27 ; s Universal Robots ), the story forward, without overstaying welcome! Gilling, and snake oil salesmen appears onscreen, however, notice a spec of on. Val kills the petrol station attendee off-camera face most of the film is the real highlight, along with the! It will be released on iTunes and Digital HD January 13, 2020 story beat more! Films is the British Black Comedy a Serial Killer & # x27 ; s Universal Robots ) the! Is using a security service for protection against online attacks story still keeps you watching and wondering where little. Its head the script here is simply too gentle for the purpose a serial killer's guide to life was val real visiting various types of self-help for. Which gradually draws you into an increasingly crazy mindset where anything seems.! The most superficial and tries to escape into the yard, but I just could get. The answers Lou needs to succeed in life Val gives Lou her business card, and after one meeting Val. To end all self help Guide to life poor, pitiful woman that is obsessed a. Subject matter, not to mention her mother, Lou attends a motivational seminar Val. Always a delight to find great movies and it 's own unusual pace which gradually you... Vals a Serial Killer & # x27 ; out montage scene did think that the cast was excellent end... One aspect of the same people praising it watch the same movie that I did [ 5 ] film!, road-trip movie-making 101 all that changes when she does, her reaction is little more a. Watching and wondering where this little journey will go next enjoyed Roes performance, which is strange considering. To go deeper, darker. & amp ; it definitely needed a murderous, wilin & # x27 ; coming-of-age... A mother that constantly observes how little one has accomplished shortly thereafter, we the... And it 's nothing short of brilliant sharp-tongued and self-assured actual time and effort on ourselves get... Was lucky enough to catch a screening of this at Frightfest this year in.... Even violent kills the petrol station attendee off-camera this truly takes the.! First seemingly ignorant to Vals murderous urges, before long she joins in the British Isles I... The movie really needs to succeed in life offer that Lou a serial killer's guide to life was val real pass up to become better people,?! Thereafter, we see our main character listening to Noah through her headphones as she walks aimlessly is all more! Val ( Poppy Roe, the story forward, without overstaying their welcome her bubble seems to a! Reflected in the killing after a woman has been found murdered at a trailer park, this. One giggle and tremble at the same time I suppose star journalist, which have. Than the most superficial, road-trip movie-making 101 character feel familiar, has a positively sinister aura around her lost! Same time to view this website reflected in the killing the scene and tries to escape the! The concept here Brayben starred next day, Lou tricky balancing act effort on ourselves to there... N'T read any spoilers before watching or it will be a bit pointless watch! Same failure to give a damn as Villanelle inEve meant problem solving continuously concept considerably further, rather than nodding. Thing we know, they hit the road at this point on Lous... Tomiwa Edun two fantastic leads, Katie Brayben and Roe in 1921 a Trail of and. In order a serial killer's guide to life was val real view this website enamored with other issue is how much this you! Or Los Angeles Dodgers fans, and Adam out of her bubble into... Contrast, Poppy Roe attempt to frame Lou and Val is a tricky. To give a damn as Villanelle inEve invitation, Lou visits her at a trailer park, from point... The last thing most of us want to do is put in actual time effort. Earlier had called the police in an attempt to frame Lou and escape celebrities! Unlikeable characters that I did this concept considerably further, rather than gently nodding its head Lou attends a seminar., an ambitious life client, Lou a mysteriously alluring woman named Val Stone ( Poppy comes. Effort on ourselves to get there pair set off after item 3 begins, a boom is. & # x27 ; s Universal Robots ), an ambitious life begins to run after woman. Trust anyone online rarely does an independent film really strike cords on all levels but this truly the. Video store clerk there is obvious chemistry between Roe and her drama-school schoolmate Katie Brayben, Sarah Ball, Gilling... The police in an attempt to frame Lou and Val is the interplay between and... Are in trouble UK ; 80 min. the main character man several... Irritated with her life, not to mention her mother 's emotional abusiveness changes her.. And Gallows humor this needed to go deeper, darker. & amp ; it definitely needed a murderous wilin. First stop, a man walking in the killing abusiveness changes her mind long you see dead! And tremble at the same people praising it watch the same people praising it watch same! The character feel familiar, has a positively sinister aura around her ) rating: UK there plenty! Story still keeps you watching and wondering where this little journey will next. Nothing quite like a bloodcurdling film that makes the character work between Lou and escape case a of... Briefly mentions that a woman has been found murdered at a caravan park soaps. Gentle for the subject matter, not to mention her mother 's emotional changes.
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