Benny Loves Killing

Benny Loves Killing, a personal independent venture from 2013 by director Ben Woodiwiss, offers a profoundly thought-provoking cinematic experience. This unique film, starring Pauline Cousty, Canelle Hoppe, and Kristina Dargelyte, showcases a blend of arthouse aesthetics interwoven with psychological drama and subtle hints of horror.

Cousty leads the cast in the role of Benny, a young woman with a distinctive outlook on life and an uncompromising individuality. Her portrayal of Benny, an ambitious film student hell-bent on making a horror movie, serves as the pivotal axis around which the entire narrative resolves.

Benny's character is distinctively compelling. Her grim fascination with blood and brutality transcends mere casual interest, and soon it becomes apparent that her obsession is more than simply thematic. Throughout the film, her unyielding determination to create horror becomes strongly linked with her personal inclinations, and it's these dark undertones that make the character of Benny dauntingly captivating.

Canelle Hoppe and Kristina Dargelyte complement Cousty's leading role with their own profoundly sketched characters. The relationships and interactions amongst them forge a tangled web of intricate human bonds, projecting a kaleidoscope of emotions on screen.

Director Woodiwiss has created a nuanced portrait of a creative spirit whose obsession with her chosen genre pushes her towards more sinister undertones. He uses symbolism and intense visuals to capture the psychological labyrinth of Benny. There's a subtle distortion of reality and dream states throughout the narrative, with reflective montages serving as keys to unlock Benny's deepest fears and desires. These elements, together with the atmospheric soundtrack, encapsulate the film's macabre aesthetics, enhancing the foreboding mood.

Woodiwiss also raises pertinent questions about the impact of art on its creator, delving deep into Benny's psyche as she grapples with the haunting echoes of her creation. He uses Benny's character to explore the boundaries of horror as a genre and its potential influence on both the creator and the viewer. Furthermore, the film discusses societal norms and the concept of this young woman battling against the barriers of a traditionally male-dominated genre in her pursuit to create something disturbingly fresh.

While Benny Loves Killing is a horror film at its core, it enriches the genre by delving into psychological exploration and human drama. It elevates common tropes by infusing them with broader commentary on personal demons and societal pressures. The slow pacing of the film may challenge viewers used to fast-paced, jump-scare filled horror. However, it provides an immersive experience for those who seek layered storytelling, symbolism, and character analysis within the horror genre.

The film's atmospheric lighting, coupled with the raw, real-life setting, adds to its eerieness. Woodiwiss uses this visual language masterfully to amplify the emotional depth of the story. The realism infused in the narrative not only augments the uncanny feeling but also engenders a chilling sense of relatability.

Striking an unusual balance between passion and prudence, the movie blurs the line between reality and imagination. The narrative swirls around the singular question – how far is too far? Benny's pursuit may be pinned on horror, but it is the horror within her, the horror she wrestles with daily, that becomes the true focus of this film.

Benny Loves Killing presents a bold exploration of the human psyche, womanhood, and the inherent darkness that resides in artistic creativity. Its strength lies in its character-driven narrative and haunting depiction of psychological horror that challenges, and perhaps even invites, the viewer to question their understanding of horror as a genre.

In closing, Benny Loves Killing is for those appreciative of the darker, deeper side of indie cinema. This film will indeed offer a breath of fresh air, or perhaps an eerie chill, for fans of psychological horror and drama. It's a piece of cinematic art that stimulates much thought and interpretation, and with a heady mix of captivating performances, enigmatic narrative, and subversive aesthetics, it solidifies its intriguingly unique place within the world of horror cinema.