Overview: From the exquisite mind of Jennifer Reeder (Knives and Skin and V/H/S/94) comes Perpetrator, a brilliantly original and twisted take on female suppression, dangerous male predators and the pains of adolescence, with a stunning lead performance from Kiah McKirnan.

On the eve of her 18th birthday, wild and rebellious Jonny is sent by her father to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie, where she begins to experience a radical metamorphosis: a family spell called the Forevering.

With her newly uncovered powers, alongside a growing obsession with blood, a freshly feral and self-assured Jonny sets out on a perilous hunt to find a lethal perpetrator, responsible for the disappearances of several local women.

Superbly blending a feminist coming-of-age drama with serial killer and supernatural fantasy genres, Perpetrator is beautifully shot in Bava-esque colors by director of photography Sevdije Kastrati, and features a phenomenal supporting cast, including Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), Melanie Liburd (Bad Boys: Ride or Die) and Christopher Lowell (Promising Young Woman).

Blu-ray Verdict: I actually watched Perpetrator recently on Shudder. The plot centers around a unique young woman who resides with her adopted father in a town plagued by a serial killer targeting young girls who keep mysteriously disappearing. As the bodies of the missing girls are discovered, the gruesome acts committed on their corpses come to light.

Despite ongoing self-defense classes at the local high school, the girls remain vulnerable. Amidst these mysteries, the young woman begins to uncover her extraordinary powers, which might aid in identifying and stopping the serial killer.

Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder (V/H/S/94), the film features Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), Taylor Kinkead (Utopia), Chris Lowell (The Help), Kiah McKirnan (Night Sky), and Casimere Jollette (Tiny Pretty Things).

In truth, Perpetrator does have a promising premise, intriguing characters and unique circumstances, but it squanders its potential. The acting, particularly Taylor Kinkead’s performance, is commendable and authentic. However, the horror elements, particularly the mirror and face scenes, fall short of their intended impact.

On another positive note, the depictions of the corpses and wounds are well-executed, and the torture scenes are excellent. However, the film’s major flaw lies in its pacing. It takes too long to reach a truly engaging point, leaving you wishing the conclusion had occurred much earlier. The latter part of the movie had the potential to be really good but was too little too late.

In summary, Perpetrator possesses the elements needed for a compelling film but struggles to integrate them effectively until it’s too late. That is not to say it is not worth watching, because it is, for sure, but I would definitely only really recommend it primarily to dedicated horror enthusiasts. [K.R.]

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary by writer-director Jennifer Reeder and director of photography Sevdije Kastrati
Perpetrator: Mirrors and the Monstrous Womb, a brand new video essay by filmmaker Jen Handorf
On-set cast interviews with Kiah McKirnan, Alicia Silverstone, Melanie Liburd and Christopher Lowell
Screenplay (2024), a music video for Aitis, directed by Jennifer Reeder Tiny Baby (2024), a music video for Joan of Arc, directed by Jennifer Reeder
Three short films directed by Jennifer Reeder: All Small Bodies (2018, 20 mins); I Dream You Dream of Me (2018, 11 mins); LOLA, 15 (2017, 5 mins)
Original trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options by Creepy Duck Design and Duke Aber / Shudder
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kat Hughes and Marianne Lampon

Official Purchase Link

www.arrowvideo.com