Flowers

In this humble reviewers personal opinion, Flowers has been one of the most looked forward to horror films in some time. So, when I received my beautifully presented copy from Director Phil Stevens, I was obviously very excited. Yet at the same time there was a odor of worry in the air, as perhaps this bizarre, other worldly film wouldn’t quiet live up to it’s expectations. So, the lights were turned down, the volume up, and play was cautiously pressed.

So the film, 6 girls awakening in the basements, walls, and rooms of a decaying old house. They are neither alive, nor are they dead. One by one they wake, and one by one the find a piece of their history, captured by photographs that trigger a small, unpleasant memory. The film contains no dialogue, and somehow.. Somehow manages to both captivate the viewer with a number of gut wrenching sound effects, hitting in sync with, at times, confronting visuals and an absolutely harrowing score. The way the film is shot, scored, and produced has it gliding across the screen as more of a moving painting pulled from a world long left in darkness. This is explainable however, as director Stevens is in every aspect an artist. And a quick Google search will reward you with his stunningly impactful work, which echoes throughout Flowers at every turn.

Each of these unfortunate girls each face a different ‘challenge’ when they awake, we don’t know where they are heading, and by their confused expressions neither do they, yet something seems to be pulling them forward. It would seem that they are also somewhat trapped in time, perhaps the time of their death, at least in some cases. In one such instance one of the victims comes across a grand feed. This scene in particular is executed perfectly. As she greedily starts consuming hands of food at a time, there seated across from her is the decayed corpse of a pig, propped upright, glaring at her across the table. The irony of the scene is perfectly handled. The pig’s corpse, gazing towards her as he literally makes a pig of herself. It’s not too long into it, and we, the audiences begin to see the feast for what it really is, which is weeks old food, spoiled, rotten, insect filled and vile. This leads us to suspect, that for this girl at least, her sight of the food is how it would have been upon her death. It isn’t long however before she see’s it for what it really is, and what act she follows with in order to purge her body of the rotten food needs be seen to be believed.

There are some issues with the film though, there are a few scenes, one far more than others where not enough is happening. Now, I can see whats happening, as the murdered woman is trying to make herself beautiful again, while staring into a mirror, applying make up. It just gets tedious, with the lack of any dialogue, and nothing much visually going on, it over stays it’s welcome, however just when you think the scene couldn’t get slower, it kicks into over drive with an utterly shocking and unforgettable climax to this woman’s segment. One that is exceptionally visually appealing, yet wonderfully handled and crafted.

During all of this, we get glimpses of our killer. A larger, older man, whose desires are largely left of field. He is a man who prays on women, a man who delights in the killing of women, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. A man who has a passion for dismemberment and disemboweling, and last of all, a love for necrophilia. We aren’t told why, we are just shown he loves it. No reasons, no excuses, he is purely a very dark, and twisted individual. This is all wonderfully pulled off by the expert use of great effects seen throughout the film. From skeletal remains, to fresh organs. All looks stunningly wonderful, and just shows how powerful micro-budgeting can be. When the film regurgitates it’s final shots, you can’t help but feel oddly ill. Do the women get revenge? Or does the killer go unchallenged? Does he even know of the activity in his home? I won’t spoil the film, as minimal knowledge is best.

Flowers is a film of a different colour, scent and taste. I have never seen anything just like it. If you’re sick and tired of the run of the mill, boring horror films being churned out these days by big studios, I highly suggest you get yourself a copy of this little film. It’s different, it’s original, it’s unique and more importantly it is 100% unforgettable.

8.5/10

Stay Tormented, General Ox