– David Cronenberg’s latest film, The Shrouds, explores grief through the story of a businessman and widower who invents Gravetech technology.
– Reviews for The Shrouds highlight a departure from Cronenberg’s typical body horror style, focusing more on personal themes and emotions.
– Despite mixed reviews, The Shrouds stars Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger in a story that delves into loss, love, and new beginnings.
Are you ready to dive into the intriguing world of David Cronenberg’s latest film, The Shrouds? Well, get ready to set aside your expectations of body horror because this movie is so much more than that. Reviews from the Cannes Film Festival premiere have painted a picture of a somber exploration of grief, rather than a typical Cronenberg gore-fest.
The film follows the story of Karsh, a businessman and grieving widower, who invents a controversial technology known as Gravetech. This device allows families to see inside the graves of their loved ones as they decompose. While this may sound like the perfect setup for some classic Cronenberg body horror, critics have noted that The Shrouds is a much more personal and introspective film for the director.
Leslie Felperin from THR described the film as a “fetid stew of sex, death and tech” that may appeal to hardcore Cronenberg fans, but could leave more casual viewers feeling underwhelmed. The cinematography was criticized for being drab, and the overall vibe of the film was deemed lacking in the verve and inventiveness that Cronenberg is known for.
Steve Pond from The Wrap noted that while The Shrouds contains some unsettling images and themes, it is ultimately a restrained and elegant exploration of loss. The film manages to be creepy without losing sight of its core focus on grief and human emotion.
Stephanie Bunbury from Deadline praised the performances of the actors, particularly Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger, who bring a raw and emotional intensity to their roles. However, she found the ending of the film to be a bit messy and convoluted, with too many plot threads vying for attention.
David Ehrlich from IndieWire highlighted the film’s complex plot and the challenging nature of its protagonist, suggesting that The Shrouds may require multiple viewings to fully appreciate its nuances. The story unfolds in a way that invites reflection on themes of loss and memory.
Fionnuala Halligan from ScreenDaily had a more critical take on the film, describing it as dull and lacking the shock factor that is typically associated with Cronenberg’s work. While The Shrouds boasts an intriguing premise, Halligan felt that it fell short in delivering a truly gripping experience.
Despite the personal nature of the film, David Cronenberg has stated that he did not necessarily view it as a cathartic exercise in dealing with his own grief. Instead, he sees The Shrouds as a creative exploration of the enduring impact of loss and the ways in which we grapple with it.
In conclusion, The Shrouds may not be the typical Cronenberg film that fans are used to, but it offers a unique and thought-provoking take on the themes of grief and memory. So, don’t expect the usual body horror thrills, but rather prepare yourself for a somber and introspective journey through the complex emotions of loss and remembrance. Share this article with your friends and let them in on the latest buzz from the Cannes Film Festival.
