In this episode we look at the 2018 movie Assassination Nation. Written and Directed by Sam Levinson. Staring Odessa Young, Suki Waterhouse, Hari Nef, Abra, and Anika Noni Rose.
Trigger warning for this episode are bullying, blood, abuse, classism, death, drinking, drug use, sexual content, toxic masculinity, homophobia, transphobia, guns, nationalism, racism, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, the male gaze, giant frogs, sexism, swearing, torture, violence, gore, weapons, and fragile male egos.
The year is 2018, Megan Markle married Prince Harry, The Miss America pageant announced an end to its swimsuit competition, and women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia for the first time in history, The winter olympics were held in South Korea, after a 32 year search the golden state killer was apprehended, the #1 movie was Avengers: Infinity War and the top song was God’s Plan by Drake.
Reviews:
Tomris Laffly rogerebert.com Like “Assassination Nation” itself, Lily clearly has a lot on her mind concerning our faux existence online. But neither she nor the miscalculated film that centers on her seems to have any clue as to how to grapple with critical thoughts in full-fledged statements. In that, “Assassination Nation” serves more like a checklist of grave topics that exclusively speaks, like Lily does, in shallow buzzwords without giving any of its themes the depth they deserve.
Wendy Ide the guardian A slick visual package that knowingly ping pongs the audience between ironic distance and immersive ultra-violence, Assassination Nation also takes well-aimed potshots at the patriarchy and the expectations placed upon young women by a jaded, content-hungry culture raised on insta-porn imagery
Aisha Harris The New York Times: Yet the final act, a “Purge”-like blood bath to the tune of vengeance, is aesthetically arresting, including a masterfully suspenseful home invasion sequence. As the town hunts for the offending hacker, Mr. Levinson mostly ditches the dissertation and renders the defamation and destruction of women’s bodies and characters through over-the-top action.
It is difficult to watch, but feels true to the spirit of the cultural climate, in which women are routinely shamed and silenced for outspokenness, or simply existing. Even if Lily and her friends feel more like social justice avatars than fully realized characters, by the end of the film, it’s hard not to root for them.
Recommendations:
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Directed by David Leitch
Written by Kurt Johnstad
Staring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy
An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.
Euphoria (2019) HBO
Created by Sam Levinson
Staring Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud
A look at life for a group of high school students as they grapple with issues of drugs, sex, and violence.
Booksmart (2019)
Directed by Olivia Wilde
Written by Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, Katie Silberman, Emily Halpern
Staring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever
On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.
Ready or Not (2019)
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Written by Guy Busick, R. Christopher Murphy
Staring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien
A bride’s wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.
Drink:
Fuck Fuck Boys
One part Vodka or Whiskey
Three parts fruit punch
One part sparkling water or lemon lime soda
Sour Patch Kids
Links:
https://fashionista.com/2018/09/assassination-nation-movie-costumes-outfits
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/assassination-nation-2018
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/nov/25/assassination-nation-review-revenge-horror
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/movies/assassination-nation-review.html
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