RUPTURE
Put through her Rapaces
released OUT NOW! 15 | 99 minutes | also VOd
Director steven shainberg Cast Noomi rapace, Michael Chiklis, Kerry Bishé, lesley Manville
Rupture marks the directorial return of Steven Shainberg, last seen 10 years ago with terrible Diane Arbus biopic Fur, but best known for his bold 2002 spank-’em-up Secretary. As you’d expect from an idiosyncratic indie auteur, it’s one weird-ass film — a sci-fi hostage horror fuelled by off-kilter mood and mystery.
The victim is Renee (Noomi Rapace), an everyday mother kidnapped by a strange band of scientists. Terrified, she’s taken to an underground bunker, where they attempt to terrify her even further – playing on her greatest fear, spiders. It’s here that Rupture is at its best – when building a sense of creepiness and confusion. Who are these hammy weirdos? Why are they scaring people? And just what is “rupturing”? They’re intriguing questions, asked via a suspenseful, claustrophobic horror with spirited performances. It’s just a shame about the answers.
Does a poor destination negate an enjoyable journey? In this case, yes; it doesn’t matter if the flight was smooth if the plane crashes and burns upon landing. And that, sadly, is how disappointing the third act of Rupture is – a film nowhere near as clever or original as you’re led to believe. Stephen Kelly