Judy and Punch
JUDY AND PUNCH (Mia Wasikowska, Damon Herriman) - © 2019 PICTUREHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Judy & Punch is a ghoulishly gothic and insipid horror with tremendous central performances from Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman as the titular characters Judy and Punch, respectively. Directed by Mirrah Foulkes, Judy & Punch is a gruesome, haunting and unsettling narrative that surrounds the fabled tale of the infamous puppeteer show with rivetting —albeit traumatising — results.
Throughout, there is a distinctive palette on offer in regards to tone and genre: ranging from the previously stated tent pole of horror to drama and even instances of wonderfully coy moments of comedy, served effortlessly by the likes of Tom Budge as Mr Frankly. It is framed as a horror of sorts but this element is only ever implemented in the film’s first and last act, allowing for more restraint and thus a hard-hitting impact. The result is a terrifically balanced and eagerly engaging plot that succeeds in tremendous engagement, even in the darkest of moments. Judy & Punch goes as far as boldly tormenting the audience with perhaps one of the most chilling and gut-wrenching first acts in horror this year but what keeps Foulkes's film on track is the astounding and electric screenplay from the writer-director as well as the leading performances.
JUDY AND PUNCH (Mia Wasikowska, Damon Herriman) - © 2019 PICTUREHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Foulkes’s screenplay is absurdly electrifying throughout its running time. Even when slightly slow, it pumps out notable sequences of subtle humour and character motifs that keep a grounded and compelling vibe throughout — of which is superbly carried by both Wasikowska and Herriman. The former showcases a pitch-perfect emotionally engulfing performance with outstanding density. A performance that is layered in passion as well as misery, both conflicting and coinciding in a rage that Wasikowska evokes beautifully. The latter, Herriman, provides what can only be described as the definition of vicious: a venomous and controlling performance from the actor that is masterfully crafted in one of the best renditions for an antagonist on screen this year.
Terrific production design by Josephine Ford and a fascinating, unsettling score from composer François Tétaz that quite spectacularly unnerves and juxtaposes the images on screen, cementing this feministic horror as a splendid blend of new-age horror with old fashioned gothic conventions with gravitas and comedic sensibility.
Judy and Punch November 22nd 2019
