The Perfection

“The Perfection” is a psychological horror thriller directed by Richard Shepard and released in America in 2018. It focuses on both Charlotte Willmore, played by Allison Williams, who is a former cello prodigy, and her contact Lizzie Wells played by Logan Browning, who helps teach/master the music academy. The film hints to dark themes once these two meet.

Plot Overview

The storyline begins with cellist Charlotte Willmore who is renown for her talents and studies at Bachoff Academy. She stops attending after her mother becomes ill as she must assist in caring for her and is deeply affected by her passing. It is at this point she contacts Anton the director and is offered a position in Shanghai to help choose a new potential student. It is here she meets Lizzie Wells who is the star at Bachoff. The two women form a deep relationship.

During their travel around China, Lizzie becomes severely sick far from home, hallucinating and added panic. In this state, she cuts off her own hand leading to the end of her music career. It is revealed that Charlotte orchestrates these events to trap Lizzie and free her from abusive mistreatment at the academy.

The academy is revealed as a cult-aided front by Anton who torments its top tier students and forces them to attain musical perfection through sexual violence.

Themes And Style

The movie covers antagonistic themes of trauma, abuse, and revenge. It captures the psychology of the pursuit of greatness, and the escapism from abuse, blended into one. Stylistically, “The Perfection” is a psychological thriller, filled with surprising twists and turns, and an unpredictable storyline.

Critical Reception

The reception from critics regarding “The Perfection” was mixed. It has a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with review by 98 critics saying, “The Perfection is a smart gripping thriller that is both cut and crafted with hands of intense wit.” Some critics saw beauty in the unorthodoxy and acting of the film unmatched by other films, while some believed that the treatment of delicate issues was reckless.