Movie Review : The Voices (2014)

The Voices, a dark, twisted, but laugh-out-loud treat

Director : Marjane Satrapi
Starring : Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, Jacki Weaver
Studio : 1984 Private Defense Contractors, Babelsberg Studio, Mandalay Vision, Vertigo Entertainment
Distributed by : Lionsgate Entertainmant
Release Date : January 19, 2014 (Sundance)
February 6, 2015 (United States)
April 30, 2015 (Germany)


Plot: Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is an upbeat man who experiences severe hallucinations in his day to day life. His hallucinations cause him to frequently converse with his dog Bosco and his cat Mr. Whiskers, who manipulate his actions and beliefs. He pursues a girl in their office that he really like but after one tragic night, he accidentally kills her. What follows is a funny series of innocent mishaps, and a bloody killing spree... or so.





Amazing Cast
The first thing that will catch your attention with this dark comedy film from Marjane Satrapi is the film's cast. It features big names for a genre film like this.

Ryan Reynolds stars as the optimistic factory worker who is also suffering from hallucinations. At first, the idea of Ryan Reynolds in a movie like this sounded weird. But after seeing him in this film, I must say that this is one of his best (and most entertaining) performances. He looked so adorable when he is talking to his pets like a seven-year old. But then, he became disturbing to watch whenever he kills someone - by accident.

Gemma Artenton is Fiona, his first victim. I first saw Gemma in the action/ horror/ comedy flick Hansel & Gretel : Witch Hunters and she was really good. But here in The Voices, she is just so amazing. I totally loved her when she turned into a talking decapitated head along the movie, giving Jerry instructions, much like his pets.

And then, there's Anna Kendrick. I'm a very big fan of Anna Kendrick ever since I saw her in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect. Then, I watched her decide whether she will leave her glass shoes for the Prince Charming to find in the fantasy musical Into The Woods. But this is the first time that I've seen her do a horror film (although I think she have done one a long time ago). She was just so adorable to watch whenver she is flirting with Ryan Reynold's character here. But then, she ends up as another decapitated head inside Jerry's refrigerator along the way which really hurts me so bad.




As twisted as it can be
One thing that will really grab you in this movie is it's very twisted accidents which are mostly not of Jerry's intentions. It all starts when Jerry and Fiona were driving down the highway and they hit a deer. Jerry begins having his hallucinations, thinking that the deer was asking him to just kill it because it was in deep pain. Fiona witnesses him slitting the poor animal's throat, so she ran away into the woods. Unfortunately, as Jerry runs after her, he accidentally stabs her. Apologising for his actions, he then stabs her repeatedly to end her pain and kill her.

This scene alone is the most twisted scene in the film. And this makes it so hard to watch it.
But the scene that really broke me to pieces while watching this film was when Anna Kendrick's character, Lisa (who has a crush on Jerry) discovers his secret. He accidentally kills her when he threw her and she snaps her neck in the process. And just like Fiona, he chops her body into pieces and placed it inside small pastic containers to hide it. Then, he stores her head inside the fridge with Fiona's so that they can 'talk' to each other. I don't know but this scene was just so heart-breaking to watch. Oh, Anna Kendrick! Why do you have to die?


Really Dark Humor
The film contains a lot of very dark and twisted jokes all over it. Dark comedy, remember? There were some instances wherein I was laughing at scenes that were so disgusting to watch that I felt weird at times. I don't know why but I just love it. I just love the dark humor sprinkled all throughout the film. It's just so funny and entertaining.
And better watch out their amazing song and dance performance... with Jesus!


Final Verdict
When it comes to the jump scares that all horror fans out there has been accustomed to, this film is devoid of any of that. But when it comes to gore and blood, lots of blood, you wont be disappointed. Performance wise, this is one of the best from Ryan Reynolds. And the cast, from Anna Kendrick to Gemma Artenton, really adds a lot more to the treat. Mixed in with some really dark humor, this dark comedy is sure to be a killer. Definitely something that you shouldn't miss.
It's bloody pitch-perfect!


I give it 5 out of 5 star rating.




The Voices (Official Trailer #1) [2015] - Ryan... by WickedVision_Netchannel