Film Review: Resurrection (2022)

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SYNOPSIS:

RESURRECTION which had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Margaret (Rebecca Hall) leads a successful and orderly life, perfectly balancing the demands of her busy career and single parenthood to her fiercely independent daughter Abbie. Everything is under control. But that careful balance is upended when an unwelcome shadow from her past, David (Tim Roth) returns, carrying with him the horrors of Margaret’s past. Battling her rising fear, Margaret must confront the monster she’s evaded for two decades who has come to conclude their unfinished business. RESURRECTION will be released by IFC Films in theaters and on-demand August 5^th. SHUDDER will be the exclusive streaming home in November 2022. 

REVIEW:

Resurrection was directed and written by Andrew Semans. It stars Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth, Grace Kaufman, Michael Esper, Angela Wong Carbone, Josh Drennen, Rosemary Howard, Jaime Zevallos, Owen Johnson, and Winsome Brown.

Resurrection opens with a glimpse into Rebecca Hall’s (The Town, The Prestige) character Margaret’s life. She works a stressful job, she’s organized, sleeping with a married co-worker, and she gets plenty of exercise. Abbie (Grace Kaufman) is her daughter.

So far, Resurrection is interesting. There is a tense feeling about the movie. It’s clear that Margaret is bothered by David portrayed by Tim Roth. Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth are incredible actors. They bring this sense of vulnerability, instability, and strength to their respectable characters. Rebecca’s portrayal of Margaret as a mom has genuine concern and she is playing a mom who clearly had something severe and tragic happen. She is protective of Abbie.

Stress, PTSD, anxiety, and fear can be horrific for some people. As human beings we can go into fight or flight. We can survive, we find ways to do so. David apparently did something horrific to Margaret unless he’s some type of figment or a challenging stress induced problem because Abbie is leaving soon.

We meet David a little bit more. The way the world is right now, this movie takes on topics that are horrific. In a world where women are expected to grow up, get jobs, get married, have babies, and that’s it. We are not often given breaks in life. Some people don’t ask for help, they move in life, and just go about everything as if it’s just okay.

Resurrection is one of those movies that makes you question life. It makes you look at society even more than we already glance at the dark side of humanity. Margaret begins to investigate David in her own way. The diner scene may or may not have been a small homage to Pulp Fiction?! Margaret’s conversation with Gwyn (Angela Wong Carbone) are fascinating. Margaret tries to be subtle but winds up sharing something with Gwyn.

The music, the cinematography, the acting, the shots, the clean, tidy, and beautifully bleak building that Margaret and Abbie live in. This would be a film I imagine Alfred Hitchcock would show or be interested in watching. Margaret does get to talk with police but it seems like in movies, the police treat women as if they’re crazy, and irrational.

You may have had something horrible happen to you in life, you may have gone to the police or friends… or even family for help? The condescending, “did he show up? Was he violent? Did he hurt you?” Of course, men also deal with this. Margaret’s loss is beyond horrific. It’s something that’s unfathomable, it’s unforgivable.

Abbie is concerned about her mom. Margaret has taken on a new life, a stalking role, she won’t be a victim, she won’t be someone that just allows something else to happen to her. Don’t ever let anyone hurt you.

Resurrection delivers suspense, emotions, and in-depth story that keeps you on the edge of the seat. SHUDDER doesn’t disappoint. Peter (Michael Esper) tries to check in on Margaret but Margaret isn’t into feelings. Margaret isn’t sleeping or eating, she is on this mission to get David out of her life.

Resurrection is a good film; I recommend watching this movie.