There comes a time when a film not only shocks but terrifies and Julia is one of those films, unlike your run of the mill revenge thriller, Julia stands its ground with the power that it not only gives in its graphic visual content, but also on the subject that it is about.
Julia Shames (played by Ashley C. Williams) is the victim of a brutal trauma, falls prey to an unorthodox form of therapy, which in turn awakens her true and violent nature, one that will teach her how not to be a victim any longer, but to become a powerful Angel of Vengeance.
Julia’s job as a clinician at a thriving plastic surgery business, her life is OK until she dates the wrong guy and ends up being drugged and gang-raped by his friends. She becomes a patient of the mysterious Dr. Sgundud (played by Jack Noseworthy), the path she takes is one that is shocking and graphic in part, but it’s a path that the viewer must journey along to the last act for Julia.
The film does seem to move along at a slow pace in parts, but those are soon thrown in to the mix when the graphic scenes of Julia’s revenge are brought in to play, if you are quite squeamish of the site of blood and the removal of body parts (guys make sure you look away, that’s all I’m saying) then watch Julia behind that trusty cushion, they are extremely graphic, even I was looking away at certain points.
Director Matthew A. Brown has taken something that is shocking to the point of looking away and strangle made it a film that you watch till the end, you want to know what is going to happen to Julia in the end, adding an atmospheric soundtrack using electro music adds to the feel of the movie, although some of the characters do feel flat and I have to say on a personal note that Jack Noseworthy’s Dr Sgundud, isn’t his best acting in a movie, I’m not saying “wooden” but it’s pretty damn close.
Brown has done a great job with the visual side of the movie, it’s darkness of scenes and subtle lighting all works well in the scenes where it is needed, the script may fall slightly with its lack of pace to keep the moving flowing without slowing down to a grinding halt, before moving on.
Julia is a movie that isn’t going to be one you sit down with to watch with the family, but it’s certainly one that horror/thriller fans will like to check out.
Julia is out on DVD & Digital Download on the 14th September, certificate 18.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
