It feels like the kind of horror-comedy which would rather invite you in for a nice cup of tea than horrify you. Super excited to see this masterpiece in a new light. "A Serial Killer's Guide to Life" (2019 release from the UK; 80 min.) The real highlight of the film is the interplay between Brayben and Roe. Lou Farnt (Brayben) is stuck in her life, with a dead-end job, no apparent friends to speak of, and still living with her domineering mother (Ball). Colin encouraged me after watching a rough cut, giving some golden advice. We also kindly got edit notes from Julian Doyle (editor of Brazil, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail), which supported the comic timing beautifully. What A Serial Killer's Guide to Life attempts is a very tricky balancing act. Roe's Val isn't your typical killer, either: she's guarded, yes, but also nervous. The likes of Killing Eve have shown even we British can engage in a gleeful embrace of the darker side of things. 2019. Watch. Whilst the two women possess significant differences, one cant help but notice Lou has a well-hidden darkness lurking within her. A coming-of-age story . Izzy. I admit..the movie is a complete B rated film. A SERIAL KILLER'S GUIDE TO LIFE DIRECTOR: STATEN COUSINS-ROE / SCREENPLAY: STATEN COUSINS-ROE / STARRING: POPPY ROE, KATIE BRAYBEN, BEN LLOYD-HUGHES, SINEAD MATTHEWS, SIAN CLIFFORD, TOMIWA EDUN / RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 13TH A young woman struggling to find her place in the world turns to the world of self-help. The following morning, Val stabs the wife to death, with Lou witnessing the aftermath. Then during a visit to a birth-memory guru, and while Val waits in the hall, Lou begins to hallucinate. This is a film where I didnt know which way it would go at the outset. Ok, mildly interesting, but the "twist" is completely illogical. Despite being flattered by the attention, Lou initially can't bring herself to leave home for an extended time for the first time. 1/2 Lou's journey of self-actualisation takes a darker turn when she is adopted by radical life-coach Val for a road trip of self-discovery. Our DoP, James Layton, helped source our camera. "[14], Commenting on the musical score, Josh Sandy of The Mancunion, the University of Manchester student newspaper, said it "is packed full of orchestral pieces. Lou unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach.. Along the journey, Lou realises that Val is eliminating the other self-help gurus as part of her determination to be the best life coach in the world. A well-written, shot, and acted darkly humorous film. A SERIAL KILLER'S GUIDE TO LIFE is a wickedly fun ride for anyone fond of a laugh at (fictional) murder. These scenarios are all interconnected and drive the story forward, without overstaying their welcome. Lover of good beer, bourbon, and horror flicks. While out at a book signing for one of these gurus, she meets a mysterious young woman, Val Stone ( Poppy Roe) and sets forth the coarse of the rest of her life. Unfortunately for Lou, Val's a serial killer. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life - ARROW A Serial Killer's Guide to Life Serial murder meets self-help in A Serial Killer's Guide to Life - a darkly satirical cross between Thelma and Louise and Sightseers from the creative team behind the award-winning short film This Way Out (Best Comedy, Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2013). A self-help addict unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach. 2020. Almost pumping into a man walking in the opposite direction, she is immediately brought out of her bubble. She is obsessed with bettering her life thanks to listening to a self-help guru that she is dying to meet in person. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is based on Roe's 2013 much-acclaimed short film This Way Out. Copplia, a life-size dancing doll in the ballet of the same name, choreographed by Marius Petipa with music by Lo Delibes (1870); The word robot comes from Karel apek's play, R.U.R. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life (2019) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Netflix's gripping serial killer drama series Mindhunter has finally returned for season 2, and we've put together a guide to show's cast, and what the real versions of Mindhunter's characters looked like. What's on TV & Streaming Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Browse TV Shows by Genre TV News India TV Spotlight. So when strange and strikingly confident new life coach Val invites her on a road trip of alternative therapies, Lou finds the perfect opportunity to leave, and the perfect person to become. https://bit.ly/3iEQTqW, Theres Something Wrong with the Children has a lot more going on for it than your average creepy-kid #horror #movie. - My ' conspiracy theory', Straps you in and takes you on a bloody journey with Lou and Val, The UK's "Thelma and Louise" is quirky and entertaining, Started going places, but ended up at Nothingburger. A Serial Killers Guide to Life is based on Roes 2013 much-acclaimed short film This Way Out. Motivational speakers? Meh. 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Not the witty and clever film people are making out, Is someone playing a joke viewers? from the University of North Texas, Im a freelance journalist and a social historian. These arent people who have wronged her in any way, more than the most superficial. Katie Brayben, Poppy Roe, Ben Lloyd-Hughes. Val is attractive, tall, headstrong, a woman who knows who she is and is forth coming about it. On iTunes in the UK: https://apple.co/2YbAz2d On iTunes in the US: https://apple.co/2YbAz2d On iTunes in Canada: https://apple.co/2YbAz2d Meet Lou Farnt: a 3. By contrast, Poppy Roe comes sharp-tongued and self-assured. Both actors do a stellar job of bringing them both to life and are well supported by the rest of the cast. But moments later, when police arrive, Val seems to have vanished. We never get much insight into what makes it particularly empowering, since theres no sense of catharsis for Lou. Outwardly, Lou is quiet, shy, and socially awkward. [16], 2019 film written and directed by Staten Cousins Roe, "[Review] 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Life' Takes Life Coaching in A New Direction", "How we made A Serial Killer's Guide To Life", "[Exclusive] Arrow Releasing Bloody Comedy 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Life' in January 2020; Watch the Trailer! It is also possible to buy "A Serial Killer's Guide to Life" on Microsoft Store . Brayben as Lou is so very, very sad sack in films opening scenes that watching Roes film, one has a difficult time warming up to her. While it could be waved away with the unreliable narrator trope, I did find myself wishing the film had handled either this decision or its reveal differently. I wasnt expecting this movie to be a slasher flick or anything, but I was hoping there would have been a lot more death scenes and action in general. There is a dry sense of black humour to the film the girls turning from bashing the head of Owain Rhys-Davies in with a rolling pin to saying Dont forget to bring the sandwiches. On the other hand, this is never a black comedy that goes for the throat or pushes everything into uncomfortable territory as a work like Sightseers does. Lou takes her up and next thing we know, they hit the road At this point we are 10 min. Cheddar Goblin is my co-pilot. | nice but fake and terribly nonsense in this society. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is a 2019 British satirical horror road movie written, directed, co-produced and co-edited by Staten Cousins Roe in his feature-length directorial debut. Val, a confident self-empowered woman, seems to possess the answers Lou needs to succeed in life. 390 backers pledged 27,312 to help bring this project to life. Either she regards them as a curse on humanity with their vapid schemes, or she simply wants to dispose of the competition. REVIEW: Far from a mastermind, she acts knowing that eventually things will fall apart. He complimented "its two fantastic leads, Katie Brayben and Poppy Roe. Lous only escape from the drudgery comes from her reliance on self-help in all its various forms. Still, she speaks with enough authority to keep nave Lou in check, even when the truth about her "therapy" is out of the bag. Hence, a A gun-wielding Val chases Lou to the edge of a cliff, and there they have a final meeting-of-the-minds as police sirens and a helicopter close in. Support. Rarely does an independent film really strike cords on all levels but this truly takes the cake. On the one hand, as a horror, it demands a taut, lean, thrill-ride, on the other, as a road movie, it would suggest a meandering, spiritual journey. Quirky and tightly written, well acted and filmed despite a ridiculously low budget. Jet-black comedy-thriller feature about self help addict, Lou, who unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged new life coach, Val. Lou packs her things and sets off to find herself. Todd Martin They visit a laugh-therapy workshop and murder the members. She seeks escape from one self-help guru after another, spending her money on their books, DVDs and audio-tapes, though with little or no apparent positive results. When you give yourself over to possibility, anything can and will happen, Noah said in a voiceover. Val is stabbed by Lou and then Lou stabs herself and the two fall on the grass. TV Shows. Stuff happens. Along the way, Lou and Val drop in on numerous questionable self-help practitioners. Lou Farnt: Did I? I think that John Waters similarly themed classic film Serial Mom is a much better (and funnier) film, and while I didnt necessarily hate this movie I dont think it lives up to its hype and that I wont be watching it again anytime soon. He does such a good job playing this type of character and I think the best part of the film is when Val and Lou finally meet him, and we find out what type of person her really is. Lou stabs Val, who earlier had called the police in an attempt to frame Lou and escape. Quintessentially British filmmaking with a heart. Its not until later that we discover shes a serial killer. A self-help addict unwittingly finds herself on a killing spree with her unhinged life coach. The self help guide to end all self help guides. A Serial Killers Guide To Life, [6], Shooting on a ridiculously tight budget meant problem solving continuously. Theres no equivocation in Val, and you immediately see why Lous willing to run off and follow her. Instead of your standard "Thelma and Louise" message against patriarchy, Lou and Val travel across the country attending self help groups and murdering the leaders. The tone is deftly inventive and offers surprises . Despite a final-act story beat that may not resonate with all viewers, A Serial Killers Guide to Life is a worthwhile pitch-black comedy with engaging character work from its two leads. What is the Spanish language plot outline for A Serial Killer's Guide to Life (2019)? It does have a great cast and all (which is probably its biggest strength), but overall, I just didnt think that it was anything special and I was left feeling more than a little underwhelmed after everything was said and done. Its possible to sympathize with her dead-end situation, but empathy to her self-help immersion is rather difficult, as shes quite a bit of a wet fish. Kill off social media influencers, reality TV celebrities or Los Angeles Dodgers fans, and Id be right there with you. The films dark comedic aspects along with just the right character development and intrigue made this a very enjoyable watch. | I absolutely loved it. Is mysteriously enamored with self help gurus that preach about visualizing yourself as you wish to be, rich, married, successful, ya know the people that aren't really successful that tell you how to be successful, those people. Director: Lena Dunham. When James Franco made his soap opera debut in 2009, it was as a serial killer named Franco on ABC's General Hospital. Val Stone. As soon as Poppy Roes Val appears onscreen, however, I was absolutely drawn to her. Val calls Lou the best student she's ever had. User Ratings Mother: Sian Clifford . She meets Val one day and they hit it off from the start even though they are totally different people and they go on a trip together, visiting several self-help retreats and the like. Lou is a pitiful woman that most people (including her overbearing mother) treat like garbage and she just takes it and tries to go on with her life. She befriends Val at one of the many self-help meetings she attends and the two decide to take a little trip together. SYNOPSIS: Lou is a poor, pitiful woman that is obsessed with a self-help guru. "A Serial Killer's Guide To Life follows Lou Farnt (Katie Brayben): a 30-something, . Lou does, however, notice a spec of blood on Vals face. Fiona Glascott . While it wasn't what I was expecting in terms of what I imagined a festival of that name would deliver, I was very glad to have seen it. Unless being annoying is a capital crime? The various therapy sessions the pair of Lou and Val visit are all astonishingly real: back-to-nature, vibrational healing, rebirthing, and laughter all have their adherents, and after doing some reading up on each, it appears that the words and actions taken by the films fictional therapists arent being exaggerated for laughs. Note the scene where she picks up a rock and begins to run after a woman. "[13] Bryan Yentz of Rue Morgue felt the same way. A Serial Killer's Guide to Life (2019) Rating: UK. Dir: Staten Cousins Roe Not amused by her paying more attention to her audio device than she is with where shes walking, the guy tells her to watch where youre f*cking going. Her response is awkwardly mumbled. Though that may reflect the films general lack of impact. Firstly, how long you see the end twist coming before its announced. 90% of the film. Then, she meets the unconventional Val Stone (Roe), who lives in a seaside caravan and promises to change Lous life forever. The script is tight and does only what it needs to do and never at any point was I bored or felt like I was being hit over the head with the point. The two finally arrive at Chuck Knoah's estate. Life is like a box of chocolates, Noah said, all the crappy ones get left behind.. Catherine Called Birdy. As a successful artist, when he wasn't stalking Jason Morgan . If youve met any of these characters (or people who swear by their wares), youll likely have more than a few wry chuckles during these scenes. At one of these seminars she meets Val (Poppy Rose) who is everything that Lou wants to be and is soon convinced to leave her life behind and join Val on the road. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. In Message, a man leaves several voicemails on an ex-girlfriend's phone to gloat. Wow just 9 stars and not a full 10 you ask? I just loved it. Kickstarter funded, but confidently directed, handsomely shot and played with perfect pitch by the two leads, A Serial Killer's Guide to Life is a homegrown horror . Show me something really scary. Menu. One aspect of the film didnt really work for me, and holds it back from a higher rating. The indie horror comedy "A Serial Killer's Guide to Life" delivers plenty of jokes and blood at the expense of self help gurus who prey on the weak. There is a specific choice made in the final act of the film that calls into question much of what has been seen previously. This isnt a cause I particularly care about: if not my cup of tea, Im sure some people find them helpful. She later meets the woman, who introduces herself as Val Stone, a self-help teacher who believes she would be perfect for Lou. Created by Poppy Roe Poppy Roe. Val leaves her card and Lou goes to meet her. An unknown serial killer offing the favorites of Salem or Port Charles is a common storyline used on soaps, . However, after taking some time to reflect upon it, I really got the sense that Roes influence was more akin to the Rmy Belvaux, Andr Bonzel and Benot Poelvoorde 1992 Belgian film Man Bites Dog. See production, box office & company info. For its one that most viewers will see coming, especially if they are familiar with a couple of cult movies from 1999 and 2003, the latter reviewed here. . Despite this, given his self-serving tone, the scene suggests hes more interested in helping himself than he is other people. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. The next morning, Val hurries Lou to leave. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. Can HBO's The Last of Us bring zombie shows back to life? It has a very interesting theme (which I won't spoil) that actually speaks for itself with very strong attention to detail, top performances and slick direction. The film welcomely digs its teeth into self-help gurus and New Age life coaches everything from Tree Huggers and primal howls in the wild; from a Laughter Yoga group to rebirthers; to a duo who trigger orgasms in the other using sound vibrations. Ffs, that's coming-of-age, road-trip movie-making 101! A Serial Killers Guide to Life Leaves a Trail of Bodies and Gallows Humor. When we first meet Lou, shes aimlessly walking along a rocky shoreline listening to a Chuck Knoah audiobook. Weve got a #spoiler free review ready but, more importantly, check it out when it drops on digital next week. But, you guys. Writer, director, editor Staten Cousins-Roe has created a wonderfully dark world as seen through the eyes of Lou, a young woman trapped at home with a frightningly needy mother. The film was a directorial debut for Statin Cousins-Roe. Sometimes a man's and a woman's vision is literally ingrained deep within their own minds and it burns deep begging to be out on film, now just breathe and concentrate of the type of man or woman you truly want to be and show the world i can.yes this review was taking a deep physiological turn as does this film, well a simple deep escape sort of speak. (Rossum's Universal Robots), written in 1920 in Czech and first performed in 1921. With Val periodically leaving voicemails to let her mom know she is alright, they make their first stop at a wilderness retreat led by Ben. It doesnt help that Maureen, Lous mother, constantly makes comparisons between her daughter and Betty Smith. Really work for me, and holds it back from a mastermind she., that & # x27 ; s Guide to life film didnt really work for me, acted! Called Birdy himself than he is other people Lou the best student she ever... Supported by the attention, Lou is a complete B rated film along with the. ; s Guide to life and are well supported by the attention, begins... A confident self-empowered woman, seems to possess the answers Lou needs to succeed in life for the first.! To run off and follow her voicemails on an ex-girlfriend 's phone to gloat the interplay between Brayben Roe! Statin Cousins-Roe nonsense in this society mildly interesting, but the `` twist '' completely. 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