Shevenge: A Lady-Led Anthology of Frightful Flicks is a horror movie released in 2019, directed by Amber Benson, Adam Egypt Mortimer, and Audrey Cummings, among others. The film features a diverse cast of female characters, including Tristan Risk, Brooke Lewis, and Melanie Wise, among others. The movie is divided into three segments, each directed by a different filmmaker. The first segment, titled "Alice", follows a female assassin named Alice (played by Tristan Risk) as she is confronted by her past demons. The second segment, titled "The Rose Garden", is about a woman named Rose (played by Paige Falardeau), who retreats to a secluded garden after a failed relationship. The third and final segment, titled "Witch" is about a group of witches living in a suburban community who are targeted by a group of men who believe they are responsible for a rash of missing children.
The movie starts with a disclaimer from Benson, who explains that the movie is intended to showcase female talent in the horror genre. She states that women have historically been underrepresented in horror films and that Shevenge was created to provide a platform for female filmmakers and actors.
The first segment, "Alice", features Risk as a cold-blooded assassin who is forced to confront her past when she is hired to kill a former lover. The segment is stylishly shot, and Risk brings a sense of intensity and vulnerability to her performance. Benson's direction is confident, and she infuses the segment with a sense of foreboding that keeps the viewer on edge.
"The Rose Garden" is the second segment and features Falardeau as Rose, a woman who has retreated to a secluded garden after the breakup of a relationship. The segment is visually striking, with Cummings making excellent use of color and composition. Falardeau gives an empathetic performance as Rose, and the segment is a poignant exploration of grief and healing.
The final segment, "Witch", is directed by Mortimer and features Lewis as part of a coven of witches living in a suburban community. The segment starts as a black comedy, with the witches being portrayed as eccentric but harmless women. However, the tone shifts dramatically when a group of men begin to target them, believing that they are responsible for a rash of missing children in the area.
Overall, Shevenge is a well-crafted anthology that showcases the talent of female filmmakers and actors. Each segment is unique and offers a different perspective on horror, from the intense action of "Alice" to the more introspective "The Rose Garden" to the subversive humor of "Witch". The movie is a timely reminder that horror is a genre that can be used to explore a wide range of themes and emotions and that there is a wealth of female talent waiting to be discovered.
Shevenge: A Lady-Led Anthology of Frightful Flicks is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 118 hours.
