Horror fans are eating well this month. While SEND HELP and IRON LUNG are going head-to-head at the box office, the view-at-home market is alive, as well, with plenty of options for those who seek a little inner chill to augment the frigid weather.
The newest offering comes from Darren Lynn Bousman, director of SAW II, III, IV, REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA, THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL, and SPIRAL. You might recall we talked to him back in 2016, 2019, and 2020, so he’s an old friend of the site. Joining him on this outing is the most exciting scream queen working today Lauren LaVera, who has celebrated massive success with TERRIFIER 2 & 3, as well as the upcoming fourth installment in the splatterfest from director Damien Leone. We got to catch up with her back in 2024 before TERRIFIER 3 hit theaters, so this interview was a bit of a homecoming for all of us.
TWISTED began its life as a script called “Monster” from Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer, the duo who brought us Steven Soderbergh’s UNSANE back in 2018. Bousman was attracted to the script as it plays out as a strong two-hander between the characters of Robert Kezian, a brilliant and dedicated brain surgeon, and Paloma Jones, a crafty grifter. LaVera was the obvious choice for Paloma and, in a stroke of brilliance, Djimon Hounsou (AMISTAD, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) was brought aboard to play Kezian. The cast was then rounded out with Neal McDonough (“Arrow,” GAME OVER MAN!) and Alicia Witt (LAST HOLIDAY, LONGLEGS).
Admittedly, TWISTED starts out rather weakly, with an underwhelming opening shot of a posh home in broad daylight accompanied by an incongruous score that sounds more like a crime caper than a thriller. Add to that stylized tile cuts that make one feel they’re watching a comic book movie and I was properly disoriented. From there the film gets remarkably better, and by the third act I was completely engrossed in the thriller/horror milieu that is Bousman’s specialty. That is, until the last frame, when the bouncy score and tile cuts returned. It wasn’t until I talked to Bousman and he described his inspirations and intent that I “got it.”
What you’re going to get with TWISTED is a slow burn that explodes into an orgy of blood and cruelty, which is likely what you’ve bargained for. TWISTED checks a lot of boxes for the thriller/horror genre and once it’s steered into its proper lane it barrels down with no brakes and abandon. Hounsou surprises by bringing his Oscar-nominated intensity to a role that he could’ve easily phoned in, elevating TWISTED above its contemporaries.
I had the opportunity to conduct an audio interview with director Darren Lynn Bousman and star Lauren LaVera last week wherein we discussed working with a living legend, using more tools in an actor’s toolbox, and the confines and opportunities of the genre.
TWISTED is currently available to rent or purchase from all digital retailers.
Until next time, take scare.
-McEric, aka Eric McClanahan-
