I Blame Society (2020) – Movie Review
8th May 2021 Written by Peter Walkden
Gillian (Gillian Wallace Horvat) is an upcoming filmmaker filled with creative ideas, but each exciting idea for a project ends with a roadblock and rejection from decision-makers. Gillian decides the days of sitting back and waiting for permission and approvals are over. She starts to investigate a new project which she will do all by herself, and feels like she is close to something big.
When a pair of strangers tell Gillian that she could be a murderer (as a compliment), she decides to use this compliment as a concept for her new film. But rather than make a standard film, Gillian starts to test herself and her capabilities when it comes to planning the perfect murder combined with her skills and knowledge of filmmaking. The results equal one crazy and dangerous serial killer. Perhaps making a movie and murdering people have similar aspects? Either way, Gillian is about to go on a killing rampage, and her camera will capture it all.
I Blame Society has been created in a style which at times feels like a fake documentary. There are many moments where Gillian is capturing footage with a GoPro camera strapped to the head or while using a camera with tripods. There are also moments where viewers feel like they are close to the gruesome killings or like a fly on the wall. The film has been done on a small budget as it revisits multiple locations and uses a small cast which was a nice touch.
This film has also been directed by its lead actress Gillian Wallace Horvat. I can’t deny that some ideas and elements feel somewhat different from anything I have seen in a film. These elements will result in various reactions from the cinema audience. I am one of those who generally enjoyed certain aspects of this film, and other details did not work.
The idea of someone being pushed to their limits is nothing new, but it held my attention in this film because it was about filmmaking and becoming the ultimate serial killer. We learn quite early that Gillian is well educated, extremely smart with filmmaking and fully understands how a perfect murder should be conducted. However, Gillian as a character is quite talkative and can sometimes rant for lengthy durations. I found the lead character unlikeable for most of the film as her many rants are filled with harsh, offensive, and inappropriate comments, making me question how anyone can even be around her. Having an unlikeable lead made it hard for me to want to be invested in this character. Still, I am sure some people will find positive aspects such as comedy and the shocking tones the film provides. I will admit that I found the movie did pay off significantly by the third and final act. But by the time the film became more of an enjoyable experience, it finished shortly after, which left me feeling like the movie was teasing me and not giving the complete experience or story.
Overall, this is a film that will not be enjoyed by every movie lover. Witnessing a filmmaker getting rejected and suddenly going on a murdering rampage has a level of creativity and freshness. Still, it also had a lead character who, for most of the film, is unlikeable. I enjoyed some moments of this film and other moments left me baffled as to what I was watching. I was thankful for the film’s ending, but sadly this felt like more of a tease than giving its viewers any actual conclusion and resolutions. I Blame Society is undoubtedly a combination of being quirky, wacky, bloody and random, so I promise you, it will have fans singing the film’s praise. Sadly, it’s just not my kind of taste in film.
5.0/10
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