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Dec 13, 2013 Issue #48 - November/December 2013 - HAIM By John Everhart

Simon Killer, directed by Antonio Campos (Afterschool), is a stark glimpse at the metamorphosis of a borderline misogynist into a full-blown sociopath. Brady Corbet dazzles as the titular Simon, an American studying abroad and seeking to forget his ex-girlfriend via a sordid journey into increasingly violent and dangerous sexual encounters.

He meets Victoria (Mati Diop) at an underground brothel, manipulatively forges a seemingly meaningful relationship with her, and proceeds to exploit it for self-serving purposes that escalate to the brazen blackmail of her clients.

Much like Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers, Simon Killer adroitly turns a fun house mirror on a latent hatred endemic to American society. But while Korine swapped in class and race, Campos and Corbet vividly illustrate modern sexism; they explore the consequences of a generation desensitized and dazed by Internet porn in this brutal yet utterly compelling film. (www.mpihomevideo.com)

Author rating: 8/10