aka ‘day of the woman’ so many people will never watch this film. it will just fade away into the ocean of obscurity in cinema, lost to the sands of time…but not for me. in some ways, i truly believe this is one of the most important films ever made. we respect the merit of films, like, funny games (1997) we understand the performance of monica belluci in irreversible (2002) we even understand the historical importance of a film, like, the virgin spring (1960) but so many critics and film historians still regard this film as smut. disgusting. horrific. evil. let me be clear. it is all of those things.

i could easily use the argument, “horror isn’t supposed to be comforting and hold your hand give you a cup of hot cocoa and read you a bed time story!!!” but that feels like a cop out to me. instead…i’ll say…i am a gay MAN. any woman has a right to hate this film, but, i think many would also agree, after actually viewing it, it’s not just a simple exploitation film. from the vibrant reds and greens…the bright red title card of jennifer driving her car with matching lipstick, dress, shoes…it almost reminds me of the opening scene of the love witch (2016) the colors are exquisite. the first scene we actually see her nude, in the beginning, is…peaceful…serene…tranquil. meant to perhaps illicit a sexual response from men??? right before the rug is pulled out from under you and you witness what’s about to happen. 

the premise is simple. jennifer hills, a young writer from new york city, exacts revenge on four men who gang raped her and left her for dead. sound like a nightmare? it is. the assault scenes span over 30-ish minutes, they are unrelenting, extremely graphic and you continuously have to remind yourself…it’s just a movie. i’ve only seen the film in full twice. the way camille keaton is handled is unlike anything i’ve ever seen put to film. this performance, in my opinion, is one of the most physically demanding and realistic performances in all of horror cinema. it was interesting to see how jennifer reconciled and gathered herself after the attack. she doesn’t do anything. she waits. writes. before going to the church and asking god for forgiveness for what she has to do next.

unfortunately, as we all know, unless you live under a rock…there is evil in the world. just because you don’t see evil things happening in front of you, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. ignorance is bliss? i disagree. it’s your decision. you can either hide under the covers or accept things as they are, so we can have difficult conversations about how to protect and prevent these things from happening. there is one moment, after the chaos has died down…jennifer is crawling on the floor towards the telephone, looking directly at the camera and it really looks as if she is crawling towards, us, the viewer, asking for help. the vision is so clear to me. there is an excruciatingly intense scene at the height of the attack on a rock. maybe just a coincidence, but, jennifer’s body (2009) first of all, the name jennifer. diablo cody i see you. there’s a scene, where jennifer is about to be sacrificed and it is on a…rock. my gay brain reaching? perhaps. 

the men in the story are quite comical. in short, they’re idiots…dumbass, slob, redneck hicks. they aren’t even smart enough to make sure she’s dead (big mistake) it very much highlights (her methods of revenge) how simple men are, in terms of succumbing to her seductions. i highly recommend researching the story behind why the director wanted to make this film in the first place. it gives a lot of clarity.

all this being said, i am not the same person prior to watching it. it is a brutal, evil, gut wrenching experience with a very cathartic pay off. the directors vision is so clear. it is visually stunning. camille keaton deserves her flowers.

fun fact: that’s demi moore on the poster :)