FROM ARROW VIDEO
Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat😸
As the film opens, we already sense hairdresser Claire (Najarra Townsend) is lonely. Based on how she interacts with her last customer of the evening - a successful woman in-town on business - she seems envious of the life she attentively listens to. As the conversation continues, we begin to suspect not all is right with Claire. Though nothing she says suggests anything sinister about her, there’s something slightly unnerving about her demeanor.
Suspicions are confirmed when Claire drugs and methodically scalps her. Afterwards, she goes home, retreats to her secure basement in tears and puts the bloody scalp over her own hair. She stares into a mirror and pretends to be the woman she just killed, which seems to make her feel better. Since there are numerous other scalps propped on head stands throughout the room, we realize Claire is not-only psychotic, but a serial killer.
Thus begins The Stylist, not-so-much a traditional horror film as a character study of a diseased mind. While it is certainly horrifying - unflinching in its depiction of Claire’s handiwork - director-co-writer Jill Gevargizian seems to be striving for something beyond gonzo sensationalism. The film’s story and structure recall the 1982 gorefest, Maniac, but the similarities pretty much end there. Claire is a fascinating character...socially awkward, self-loathing and in constant distress when not emulating the women she admires. Hence, the only time she feels happiness, however briefly, is when she dons their scalps.
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| "Want me to pop that for you?" |
The Stylist is also...well, stylish. Despite occasionally-shocking violence, the film is moody, atmospheric and deliberately paced. That might be off-putting to those expecting nothing more than a gory good time with the girls. For everybody else, it’s a dark, compelling journey of a woman whose desperation to be somebody else reaches disturbing heights...or depths.
EXTRA KIBBLES
THE STYLIST: BEHIND THE SCENES - Eight featurettes (running an hour with the ‘play all’ option) featuring behind-the-scenes footage, as well as interviews with writer-director Jill Gevargizian, co-writers Eric Havens & Eric Stoize and actors Najarra Townsend & Brea Grant.
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN - A very interesting - if somewhat academic - video essay by author/critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. Includes plenty of footage from The Stylist, as well as a few other recent horror titles featuring women antagonists.
AUDIO COMMENTARY - By writer-director Jill Gevargizian & actor Najarra Townsend
SCOUTING LOCATION FEATURETTE
OUTTAKES - Pretty much a blooper reel.
ORIGINAL KICKSTARTER VIDEO - Includes scenes from some of Gevargizian’s other short films.
BLU-RAY INTRODUCTION - By writer-director Jill Gevargizian.
SHORT FILMS - “The Stylist” (the original short by writer-director Jill Gevargizian); “Pity” (by John Pata, The Stylist’s editor).
2 TRAILERS
GALLERY OF PRODUCTION STILLS & LOCATIONS
SOUNDTRACK CD - The description is somewhat misleading. Only the opening track features Nicholas Elert’s haunting score. The rest is a forgettable batch of pop & rap tunes featured in the film. Still, here’s hoping Arrow continues including soundtrack CDs in future releases.
SUPPLEMENTAL BOOKLET - Includes an essay, “The Stylist: A Curious Case of Mistaken Identity,” by author Emma Westwood; Location scouting/final film photo comparisons; cast & crew credits; CD track listing.
2-SIDED MINI POSTER
REVERSIBLE COVER
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