The Voices
2014 · Directed by Marjane Satrapi
Original language: English
- comedy
- crime
- horror
- fantasy
The story
A mentally unhinged factory worker must decide whether to listen to his talking cat and become a killer, or follow his dog's advice to keep striving for normalcy.
What it’s like
Bright, candy-coloured interiors set against a drab Connecticut-style backdrop: a factory-town palette of mustard yellows, pastel bathroom tiles and washed-out greys, shot with a clean, slightly stylised framing that keeps the camera close to its central character. Wide, slightly off-kilter compositions and sudden cuts give the whole thing a jittery, deadpan-surreal energy, with a bouncy pop-leaning score that drops out abruptly when things turn ugly. Its vibe is quirky-dark, sweet on the surface and nasty underneath, the kind of thing that suits a late night alone or a watch with friends who like their comedy uncomfortable. The tonal whiplash is the point: a warm, odd comedy that suddenly tips into horror. Intensity is high. There is frequent graphic violence, gory killings played both for laughs and for shock, strong crude language, and a persistent sense of dread around a disturbed protagonist. It is not gentle. It is for viewers who enjoy black comedy, dark fantasy and unreliable perspectives, and who can handle blood and bleak humour delivered with a smile.
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