Review: Censor

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Censor takes place in 1980's England during its peak video nasty era. Enid (Niamh Algar) is a film censor who takes her job very seriously. She ends up in a precarious position at work, and that added stress is topped off when she views a particularly gory movie that is eerily similar to her own sister's disappearance when they were children. Now she had to learn more.

This film is an expanded version of director Prano Bailey-Bond's 2015 short Nasty and I'm always here for female directed horror. Under the male gaze, I can only imagine the things we'd see Enid see while she's censoring films. I really liked the story she tells her. At a brisk 84 minutes, the film doesn't have time to drag, even though some of those minutes could've been a spent a little better.

Algar is a great lead. This is the first film I've seen her in and I hope to see more. Enid on the surface is a typical straight laced woman but the tragedy in her past still resonates with her deeply. She also expertly handles a very skeezy producer (Michael Smiley) which I apprecatied.

I don't think the film quite sticks the landing. I wanted it to be a little more fleshed out, but this film is definitely worth your time. 

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "I think it's her..." - Enid (Niamh Algar)

Comments

  1. thevoid99October 30, 2021 at 7:38 PM

    I do want to see this as I am interested in that era of the video nasties as it was an intense period of censorship in Britain during the age of Thatcher. She was a bitch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 30, 2021 at 7:42 PM

      I don't know much about the era personally. They don't get into the history of it a ton, but it makes for a good setting for the film.

      Delete
  2. Often Off TopicNovember 2, 2021 at 9:10 AM

    I watched this in the summer when there was nothing else out at the cinema and it was such a pleasant surprise! Never seen anything quite like it. It's a shame the ending doesn't quite live up to the rest though, for sure.

    ReplyDelete

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