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9

ClintHApr 18, 2006

Deeply, truly disturbing.

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9

TrisolaranFeb 26, 2022

A hauntingly disturbing and brilliant look into a woman's gradual descent into madness, Repulsion is a movie that is a classic slow-burn where characters and situations become increasingly twisted as time passes. It tells the story of Carol,A hauntingly disturbing and brilliant look into a woman's gradual descent into madness, Repulsion is a movie that is a classic slow-burn where characters and situations become increasingly twisted as time passes. It tells the story of Carol, who is a reclusive and distant young woman struggling with social interactions with men, and the terrible things that begin to happen as she withdraws further into isolation.

The film focuses on small details and motifs to reveal the psyche of our main character, such as the little repeated actions and tics from her, the exasperated sounds and music that she hears, as well as the strange things that she starts noticing which may or may not be in her head. The pacing is definitely on the slower side, but I never found it boring or trite, as I feel everything succeeds in building suspense and a sense of dread in the viewer. Some of the more explicit sequences are a bit tame and unrealistic by modern standards, but I don't fault the film for that as it is a product of its time, and since it doesn’t rely on them heavily the payoff is still plenty disturbing. Considering the year this was made, it was honestly quite impressive they were able to show some of these things on screen.

Overall, definitely one of the most harrowing and memorable depictions of spiral-into-madness stories committed to film. Check it out if you are in the mood for a patient, smart psychological horror movie that slowly drags you into the claustrophobic hellscape of our main character’s mind through the course of its runtime.… Expand

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10

sachineldhoJun 12, 2019

So dark and haunting. Truly a Polanski masterpiece. Rosemary's Baby is my favorite movie of Polanski.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

JacobparkerMay 15, 2013

The story is not bad, but the film is so boring and takes a long time until finally something happens. When something finally happens this is the "highlight" of the film. Even old movies should be entertaining. In my opinion this film is not.

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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1

MixersanFeb 20, 2014

Not scary, not interesting - just pretentious. Literally nothing happens in the first 3/4 of the movie. You watch a character with no personality walk around London and gaze out the window of her apartment for the majority of the film. INot scary, not interesting - just pretentious. Literally nothing happens in the first 3/4 of the movie. You watch a character with no personality walk around London and gaze out the window of her apartment for the majority of the film. I guess it's supposed to be artistic or something, but I can't really see it.

This is one of the most boring and least rewarding films I've watched in years. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.… Expand

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3

kirsim.Nov 22, 2007

Innocent woman sinks to the agonising dephts of schitzophrenia. Thats it. Admittedly it is rather tame (only reason why I give it 3 points, not 0) but it is still voyeurism. Hey, Cathy Deneuve looks good. Look, when she does crazy stunts Innocent woman sinks to the agonising dephts of schitzophrenia. Thats it. Admittedly it is rather tame (only reason why I give it 3 points, not 0) but it is still voyeurism. Hey, Cathy Deneuve looks good. Look, when she does crazy stunts like crazies do! Albeit visually more dreary than sleazy - b&w photography, clunky music, you know, everything artsy. - Repulsion is still wildly overrated. The voyeurism stinks like outhouse at summer.… Expand

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10

PanchogulApr 8, 2020

Repulsion (1965)

Sinopsis: Una escalofriante historia acerca del deterioro mental de una mujer sexualmente reprimida. Opinión: Muy buen thriller psicológico, claustrofobico y eventualmente retorcido. Catherine Deneuve realiza unaRepulsion (1965)

Sinopsis:

Una escalofriante historia acerca del deterioro mental de una mujer sexualmente reprimida.

Opinión:

Muy buen thriller psicológico, claustrofobico y eventualmente retorcido. Catherine Deneuve realiza una actuación creíble y plausible aunque quizás un poco sofocante ya que no le salen palabras en casi toda la película, incluso dan ganas de sacudirla. El plano final da lugar a doble interpretación sobre lo que podría explicar el comportamiento de la chica ya que no es del todo explícito.

Una obra de culto sin lugar a dudas.

Valoración:

5 ⭐ de 5 ⭐… Expand

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3

beeanadouJun 30, 2018

Boring story line, would be better if Polanski had cut it shorter. Too evident and obvious to predict, lacks suspense and tension.

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9

JoBeGo2021Aug 15, 2021

I need to start with the DVD box. I usually head straight for the disk but if you're stuck with the bargain basement EPI version (I highly recommend the Criterion director's cut version for a few dollars more) a few things need to beI need to start with the DVD box. I usually head straight for the disk but if you're stuck with the bargain basement EPI version (I highly recommend the Criterion director's cut version for a few dollars more) a few things need to be addressed. First, the blurb on the front of the box; you're not a "virgin" if you've been raped. WTF. Second, the plot summary on the back of the box falsely states that her sister was leaving on vacation with a married man; I want to point out that this WAS the original plotline which included a confrontation with the married man's wife in Carol's apartment (I gleaned this by listening to Mr. Polanski's & Ms. Deneuve's commentary on the director's cut) the released version had Carol's sister (Helen, played by Yvonne Furneux) engaged & taking a sabbatical from her. OK, down to the movie itself. I was absolutely knocked out by the film the first time I saw it. In seeing this again 26 years later I spotted a few flaws. Most glaring was the scene where she kills her pursuer (Colin, played by a John Frasier). That scene required that she react spasmodically after her pursuer kicks her door in. What was put out had Ms. Deneuve practicing her golf swing … Expand

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7

GammyM.Aug 8, 2009

It is fun, but reminds me of a film school exercise. Too heavy handed and even a little trite.

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9

MrPieMay 15, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A fantastic movie. It is beautiful in every aspect. Story, image, acting; plot, music.. It isn t realy that kind of a movie that gives you much of suspence rather than a movie that gives you insight and lets you enjoy the slow decay of the tormented mind of a sick and mad woman.… Expand

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7

SpangleJan 23, 2017

Repulsion is a classic psychological thriller, but it did not work quite as well as I had hoped. The first entry in director Roman Polanski's Apartment Trilogy, Repulsion pales in comparison to his tremendous follow up in the trilogy,Repulsion is a classic psychological thriller, but it did not work quite as well as I had hoped. The first entry in director Roman Polanski's Apartment Trilogy, Repulsion pales in comparison to his tremendous follow up in the trilogy, Rosemary's Baby. Polanski's instincts guide him reliably into creating a hypnotic and claustrophobic environment, but the film itself lacks polish. It is clear that this is his second feature-length film because it feels as though it lacks that bit of umph to make it a truly impactful and mesmerizing psychological thriller. However, a killer score and claustrophobic direction certainly make up for this and create an often terrifying experience.

Compared to Rosemary's Baby, Repulsion is less scary. That said, this is a very different film, even if it is a part of the same trilogy. Taking place in an apartment that often doubles as the mind of Carole (Catherine Deneuve), this film is haunting in its portrayal of mental disease. Blending reality with dreams and leaving the audience guessing as to which is which. This is honestly horrifying to watch unfold and is where Polanski finds the most success. This suspension of reality is really thrilling to watch unfold and is accentuated by Deneuve's performance. Though he is mostly quiet in the film, she really does capture this descent into madness suffered by her character incredibly well. Polanski himself finds considerable power in these moments as well, with walls cracking and her insanity given a sort of demonic appearance to the audience. This really drops us into a world of the unknown as both us and Carole are shocked and disturbed by what is occurring on the screen.

However, Repulsion takes a bit long to get to the good bits. The first hour or so is a little too subtle and off-the-point to truly be effective. It starts hinting at Carole's repulsion and issues with men and their possible sexual intentions with her. It hints and sets the table, but it feels like a meal that takes too long to cook. You set the table and keep waiting for the food to actually cook. You check every five seconds to see if it is ready, but the damn thing just does not look cooked. This is Repulsion at the beginning. The meal is delicious once it hits the table, but the long prep time takes some of the buzz and satisfaction out of the meal. This is really Repulsion's major issue.

Yet, even when it really buzzes, the film lacks the punch of his later works. It is clearly his second film and it suffers from his inexperience. No shame there, but the film lacks the polish and it is not because it is fuzzy. It is hard to describe why, because there are so many good elements here. Carole's descent into madness, the fuzzy and cheap looking camera actually really benefits this film, as it makes it feel even creepier and unsettled. Yet, I feel as though I was let down by this one a bit, but it what interesting nonetheless to see its clear influence on other films, such as Brian De Palma's Sisters (plot, look, and feel) or David Lynch's Eraserhead (look, feel, and style). The latter was a bit of surprise, but during Carole's descent, having hands fly out of the wall and the jarring and grainy black-and-white camera feel a lot like watching a Lynch film, specifically Eraserhead.

Overall, Repulsion is a pretty good film with a huge legacy. It is possible it was just not for me, but even then, its power is often hard to deny. Featuring a terrifying score, a strong lead performance, and a harrowing portrayal of madness, Repulsion is a compelling psychological thriller that really laid the ground work for many films by other directors and the work of Polanski himself.… Expand

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8

horcrux2007Jun 6, 2015

A very disturbing and scary, although sometimes a little dull, psychological horror film about a woman who slowly goes insane while her sister is on vacation. It has a perfectly moody atmosphere thanks to the high contrast of light and shadowA very disturbing and scary, although sometimes a little dull, psychological horror film about a woman who slowly goes insane while her sister is on vacation. It has a perfectly moody atmosphere thanks to the high contrast of light and shadow in the apartment, and there are a few scenes that definitely had my clenching my seat. My biggest issue with the movie is that there are some scenes that get somewhat boring. It's a must watch if you like classic horror.… Expand

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8

LepumpernicJul 30, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A classic. Great effects, deep, disturbing. Great story. A woman falling apart. Catherine Deneuve is splendid. A classic Polanski film.… Expand

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0

tubeyouSep 10, 2020

God , this movie is overrated... More than half of the movie is pointless scenes that don't move the story forward AT ALL , like walking in the streets , sitting in a chair staring into the space... There is at least 10 minutes of her walkingGod , this movie is overrated... More than half of the movie is pointless scenes that don't move the story forward AT ALL , like walking in the streets , sitting in a chair staring into the space... There is at least 10 minutes of her walking around in the streets of London. Why ? How is that good movie making ? There is nothing artistic or entertaining about it... It's not even filmed nice. You can literally edit 2/3 of the movie out and you won't miss anything. I think the makers simply didn't have enough material and they had to fill up the movie with "empty" scenes like walking , just to have enough runtime to meet the criteria for movie theaters. The real "action" only starts about half way into the movie , but by that time you will be bored to death already. How can this movie get such high scores is a mystery to me. Compare this movie to "Rosemary's Baby" for example , where EVERY scene is stimulating the viewer.

If you ever going to make a movie yourself and you run out of ideas and creativity... Just throw in some of good old walking. High scores guaranteed. Works everytime… Expand

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9

ahmedaiman9999Jul 29, 2018

The use of nightmarish visual imagery for effect, and the reliance on the setting to illustrate Carol's mental state made me think that Repulsion is a film adaptation of one of Alfred Tennyson's poems directed by David Lynch! I'm not a fan ofThe use of nightmarish visual imagery for effect, and the reliance on the setting to illustrate Carol's mental state made me think that Repulsion is a film adaptation of one of Alfred Tennyson's poems directed by David Lynch! I'm not a fan of movies that rely so much on allegory. However, I loved Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive. But to be honest, I wasn't invested in these movies as much as I should. Nevertheless, I found Repulsion very engrossing, and I was deeply invested in the character of Carol.

Polanski managed to evoke an atmosphere filled with dread and fear. but to make it more disturbing, he used another atmosphere that's quiet different and contradictory to the main one he used to depict Carol's paranoia. This contradictory atmosphere is actually very similar to the one that's used in french new wave films. Yes, it's already seems very weird and creepy! Almost every hallucination scene leaves you with a chill in the spine.

Catherine Deneuve gave a very accurate, precise, and unsettling performance. Carol Ledoux could have been monotonous, and tedious due to her tepid nature. Instead, and thanks to Deneuve's captivating performance, Carol turned out to be so sympathetic and relatable that I felt for her. As for issues, I think the first act was longer than it should be, and the movie took a long time to reach the climax of its plot, but it was never boring, and built up tension very well. From the tracking shots to the use of the unsettling sounds, you can see that Repulsion has a big influence on Aronofsky, especially his most recent, and most controversial work, mother! Also, the closing shot of this movie must be up there with the closing shots of The 400 Blows, Fight Club, Inception, Seven Samurai, Stalker,.....
As a matter of fact, Repulsion's final shot isn't just beautiful, profound, or thought-provoking, but it's very important and absolutely necessary to complete Carol's character arc.

(9/10)… Expand

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6

hamidgoodarziAug 3, 2023

Refer to childhood The first part of Roman Polanski's apartment trilogy. The film is a successful and well-made film for the time it was made in 1965. It makes the actor a star. Although in some scenes his acting is obviously artificial andRefer to childhood The first part of Roman Polanski's apartment trilogy. The film is a successful and well-made film for the time it was made in 1965. It makes the actor a star. Although in some scenes his acting is obviously artificial and formal, but the film works well due to the good decoupage in closed space. The psychological issue of people has always been observed in Polanski's works. Timely dialogues, appropriate music and the use of silence in some scenes are other strong points of the film.… Expand

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