Lost in Perfection (2023)

no thrill in this thriller

I was really looking forward to the release of this movie since it's Theater release four months ago and watched it right away when it popped up on Netflix but I can't say I wasn't disappointed....

The first half of the movie is sprinting through the plot in a way where you think something ain't right. I never thought "thriller" and "murder" could leave me feeling so indifferent. There's barely any mystery and everything is dealt with so fast that you never get the feeling that the supposed killer could get away with it. Pairings form up unnaturally fast and confessions aren't questioned in the slightest.
The second half is where the expected happens but even that was lame. Essentially this movie had no thrill, nor were any of the characters particularly interesting. Especially the older FL, who was supposed to be this scheming killer widow, had no mysterious aura around her nor was she pissing me off (which I kinda wanted). It also gets a bit cheesy in the middle but at least everyone's pretty to look at.

I guess the only good things in this movie are 1. Rhydian looks very dashing as the prosecutor and the the final 5 minutes / the post credit scene evoked a tiny bit of excitement in me. Everything else was very bland in my opinion

Read More

When women are once again cast as villains.

This is a story of villainesses, reflecting a reality where society is ever-ready to paint women as the antagonists.

The film’s plot isn’t overly complex, but its psychological weight is undeniable, brimming with intensity and sharp satire. It centers on a woman deemed ugly by society’s gaze, ostracized even by other women who see her as an "outsider," a villain who defies their preconceived norms. A death unveils the grotesque schemes of an individual—or perhaps the rotten foundations of society itself—stemming from a woman condemned in the court of public opinion, judged by strangers who’ve never seen her face. Women are expected to embody virtue, grace, eloquence, and propriety, and any woman who falls outside these societal standards is branded a villainess—a demon. Her femininity is rejected, and society increasingly views the expression of womanhood as something repulsive, promiscuous, or sinful. Tragically, even those who don’t stand in the courtroom, who don’t wield the knife that takes a life, are complicit. They are perpetrators through their ignorance, naivety, and susceptibility to the manipulations of those truly pulling the strings behind the scenes. They are both culprits and victims—victims of manipulation, control, and even love.

The film’s protagonist, driven by subjective emotions, ingrained biases about women and societal norms, and her own experience of love, destroys her family and, ultimately, herself. In doing so, she transforms into a true villainess. To say that women are often scapegoated as villains doesn’t mean men are always the perpetrators. Beyond gender, this is about society, prejudice, and public opinion—and the film seems to echo this. Without the one-sided biases that fuel these narratives, could the puppet masters behind the scenes have succeeded in their schemes? Betrayal doesn’t only wound those who are unloved; it also scars the betrayers themselves, who forsake a piece of their conscience (if they have any left at all).

Ultimately, the film is far from difficult to watch. Everything has its own story, though the pacing feels slightly off, and the characters lack depth. The film doesn’t quite break new ground, and it doesn’t demand intense focus—sometimes to its detriment. Still, the ending delivers a satisfying punch, leaving a lasting impression.

Read More

"Lost in Perfection" (2023) starts with promise but ultimately disappoints, failing to fulfil its potential as a compelling thriller. Rushing through its plot without building suspense or developing characters, the film leaves viewers feeling underwhelmed and disconnected. Despite an intriguing premise surrounding a "Poisonous Widow" and a web of deceit, the execution falls flat, lacking the expected depth and tension. Even the central antagonist, Lan, fails to evoke the sinister aura required of her character. As the narrative progresses, anticipated twists fail to materialize, resulting in a lackluster climax and unresolved plotlines. While the film does boast visually appealing moments and a charismatic performance by Rhydian Vaughan as the prosecutor, these elements are overshadowed by its overall shortcomings. "Lost in Perfection" may offer surface-level entertainment, but it fails to deliver the gripping thriller experience viewers anticipated.

Read More