
'Misericordia' Review - A Casually Chaotic Queer Dark Comedy
Even the nicest people have a breaking point. No matter how quiet, kind, or seemingly meek you assume someone is, just know that if you push the wrong buttons or strike the right nerve, a delicate and non-threatening Caesar mushroom can actually be a death cap. The analogy will make sense when you watch the film. Not only do people have a limit to how much nonsense they can withstand, but you never know what someone is going through. You may not have to worry about being their thirteenth reason, but you could be their first victim. Be kind and stay alive. 'I think he's completely crazy.'
No matter how careful you are or how sneaky you think you're being, the secret will always eventually be revealed. Written and directed by Alain Guiraudie, Misericordia is a casually chaotic queer dark comedy. With a dash of mystery, a heap of suspense, and more subtle humor than you can handle, this fatal French subterfuge is the hidden gem you want to find. Championing genuinely hilarious and awkward moments along with an affinity for mushroom foraging, the film is loaded with subtext that gets increasingly more outrageous as the story progresses.
Veiled in suspicion and clouded by uncertainty, everyone in this idyllic town seems to be hiding something. There's violence, manipulation, sexual tension, and more than a few lies. And just the narrative gets juicy and truths are uncovered, the most surprising one exposes itself in more ways than one. Our lead, Jérémie, has the most to hide, but with how his life has been going, also the most to gain. Furthermore, as we witness the mystery unfolding from his perspective, you're plagued with one moral conundrum after another. The first instinct is to cut and run, but if Jérémie is for the messiness, then so are we. Come for the drama but stay for the absurdity. 'You'll learn to love me.'
Wrapped and thriving in a Shakespearean essence, this eerily calm enigma is as much about identity as it is about deceit. In some ways, they're intertwined. While some aspects of the film can be interpreted as battling the rejection of your truth, other parts can be seen as an outward projection of internal conflict. With an initial atmosphere and aesthetic that feels cold and aloof, by the end, you'll feel its warm, firm embrace. You'll be left both shocked and entertained. The talented performances drive the experience as the sophisticated yet approachable writing of Guiraudie breathes exuberance into its dry wit. There are some beautiful shots with a set and costume design that feature dark and muted colors, perfectly matching the tone. If you're a fan of Alain Guiraudie's work, this is sure to delight. Its rewatchability is medium. From (L to R) FÉLIX KYSYL as Jérémie, SALOMÉ LOPES as Young Police Officer, SÉBASTIEN FAGLAIN as The Policeman, TATIANA SPIVAKOVA as Annie, CATHERINE FROT as Martine, DAVID AYALA as Walter
Pace & Pop
This film maintains a curious pace and tone for the entire runtime. Combining comedy, mystery, and thriller sensibilities, you never quite know what's coming next. What popped for me was the diabolically reserved nature of Jérémie as casual chaos ensues. From (L to R) Félix Kysyl as Jérémie and Jacques Develay as The Abbot in 'Misericordia'
Characters & Chemistry
Starring: Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot, Jean-Baptiste Durand, Jacques Develay
This ensemble cast is amazingly effective. Their subtle and layered performances are the lifeblood of the film. The dry delivery, the hungry stares, and the loud, panicked nonchalance are intriguing and hysterical. Between the unraveling psyche of Félix Kysyl's Jérémie and the ever-lingering priest played by Jacques Develay, their performances awaken the film's dangerously adventurous and addictive qualities. Let me not forget the deeply curious and somewhat suspicious performance of Catherine Frot.
Misericordia is now streaming on the Criterion Channel. Stay safe and keep an eye on the sneaky priest.
Rated: NR Runtime: 1h 43m Language: French Director: ALAIN GUIRAUDIE Writer: ALAIN GUIRAUDIE Artistic direction: LAURENT LUNETTA Cinematography: CLAIRE MATHON Production design: EMMANUELLE DUPLAY Costumes: KHADIJA ZEGGAÏ Hair and make-up: MICHEL VAUTIER Assistant Director: FRANÇOIS LABARTHE Sound: VASCO PEDROSO, JORDI RIBAS, JEANNE DELPLANCQ, BRANKO NESKO C.A.S Editing: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE HYM Original score: MARC VERDAGUER Producer: CHARLES GILLIBERT
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mick Jagger's Fiancée Melanie Hamrick Celebrates His 82nd Birthday with a Silly Photo of the Rocker and Their Son
Happy birthday, Mick Jagger! The musician turned 82 on Saturday, July 26, and his fiancée, Melanie Hamrick, marked the occasion with a sweet social media tribute. In the post shared on Instagram, Hamrick, 38, included two photos of herself and Jagger, as well as one of The Rolling Stones frontman being silly with their 8-year-old son Deveraux Octavian Basil. She kept her caption simple and sweet, writing: "Happy Birthday!!!!🎊 ❤️🥳." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Jagger and Hamrick first met in 2014. After two years of dating, the rock star and the former ballerina welcomed Deveraux, Jagger's eighth child, in 2016. Despite there being speculation over the years that the two were engaged, it wasn't confirmed until April 2025, when Hamrick told the French publication Paris Match she and Jagger "been engaged two or three years." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Hamrick doesn't share much of her life with Jagger on social media, despite their high-profile relationship. She made an exception in July 2024, however, when she shared a series of photos of herself, Jagger and Deveraux on Instagram in honor of the musician's 81st birthday. "Happy Birthday babe !! We love you 🥰 ❤️," Hamrick wrote in her caption at the time. Jagger — who has been a staple within the music scene for over six decades — wrapped his latest tour with The Rolling Stones last year. The Hackney Diamonds Tour saw the English rock band promote their album of the same name in major cities, including Houston, Atlanta and Chicago. They also sang some of their most popular songs, such as "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Gimme Shelter" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." Earlier this month, The Rolling Stones were featured on Burna Boy's new album, No Sign Of Weakness, on the track "Empty Chairs." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Top Gun' Actor Danny Ramirez Is The Mystery Man Who Accompanied Jessica Alba To Cancun
The mystery man who accompanied Jessica Alba to Cancun is none other than Danny Ramirez, TMZ can reveal. Alba and the actor boarded a plane in Cancun -- where they had spent time together -- and headed back to L.A. on an American Airlines jet. The pair left Cancun shortly after 5 PM Sunday and landed in L.A. at 7:45 PM. The 44-year-old actress appeared to have bagged a 32-year-old ... and a "Captain America" star no less. TMZ broke the story ... Jessica filed for divorce back in Feb from hubby Cash Warren ... together they share 3 children. Sources told us the split was 'extremely amicable' -- no drama here, just two parents both requesting joint custody of their 3 kids. This comes after we got Cash out and about during the TMZ Celebrity Tour on Saturday -- posted up at a L.A. Coffee Bean. Solve the daily Crossword


Geek Vibes Nation
5 hours ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Lord Of Illusions' 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review - Clive Barker Makes Magic A Reality In Bloody Supernatural Thriller
From best-selling author and celebrated director Clive Barker (Candyman, Nightbreed) comes a supernatural thriller that rips apart the boundaries between sanity and madness, and between the art of illusion and the terrifying forces of magic. Harry D'Amour (Scott Bakula, Quantum Leap) is a private detective on a seemingly routine investigation in Los Angeles. But Harry gets more than he bargained for when he encounters an enigmatic performer (Kevin J. O'Connor, Deep Rising) whose amazing illusions captivate the world … but are they really just illusions? Harry isn't so sure as he is thrust into a nightmare of murder and deception from the dark beyond. Famke Janssen (GoldenEye, X-Men) also stars in this thrilling supernatural mystery. Barker's illuminating Director's Cut is now presented in Ultra High-Definition with all-new Special Features. For thoughts on Lord Of Illusions, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: Video Quality Scream Factory presents Lord Of Illusions on 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a stellar 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This release contains Clive Barker's Director's Cut of the film, but the theatrical cut is not provided. There is also no accompanying Blu-Ray provided like the label typically provides. The film was previously released by the label on Blu-Ray in 2014 from a dated master. We do not have that release to compare the level of improvement, but we can say with some degree of certainty that this is the best the film has ever looked. The natural film grain remains faithfully intact and brings out all of the unique flourishes in the background. The grain resolves exceptionally with nothing ever feeling splotchy even within the shadowy environments. The deployment of Dolby Vision/HDR for dazzling and pinpoint color output elevates things to ideal levels when it comes to depth and nuance. Audiences can now discern much more shadow detail with figures properly defined instead of blending into the unformed background. Black levels are first-rate with nothing in the way of crush or banding present even in the dark corridors. Highlights are firm with no semblance of blooming in the brightest moments. This disc handles every subtle environmental change with ease. There are no egregious digital anomalies such as compression artifacts or any other such shortcomings. There are some cool, disgusting practical effects at play, but you will also spot some dated digital effects that do not hold up well. This is accurate to the source, though, and not an issue with the transfer. All specks of damage have been cleaned up thanks to the restoration. This presentation is a knockout from the team at Scream Factory. Audio Quality The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track which both accomplish everything you could want. The score from Simon Boswell has never sounded clearer and more full of life, and it is used deftly to establish the tone of the story. There is never a moment when it threatens to overshadow the competing sounds, and it maintains a respectable balance so that dialogue comes through crisp and clear. This narrative typically delivers a multifaceted approach to sound design that becomes very immersive with the surround mix. Both tracks provide a capable soundscape that accurately captures the artistic intent with a fidelity that is effortlessly translated. Environmental sounds such as fire and gasps from the crowd are rendered well alongside everything else. There do not seem to be any egregious instances of age-related wear and tear. Scream Factory has put forth a great effort for fans. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director Clive Barker provides a very informative commentary track in which he discusses the film in minute detail from his motivations with the disturbing opening credits, his additions to the director's cut, and the journey to the ending. Flesh Is A Trap: Scoring Lord of Illusions – Interview with Composer Simon Boswell: A new 22-minute interview with the composer in which he discusses his background and career around the time of this production, working with Clive Barker, inspirations for the tone of the score, and more. Drawing Boards – Interview with Storyboard Artist Martin Mercer: A 12-minute interview with the artist who discusses getting involved with the project, working with Barker to bring his world to life, memorable moments, and more. A Gathering of Magic: An 18-minute vintage featurette that takes a look at the production of the film through interviews with writer/director Clive Barker, producer JoAnne Seller, and actors Scott Bakula, Famke Janssen, and Daniel von Bargen. Original Behind-The-Scenes Footage: A 62-minute collection of footage that shows some on-set interviews and attempts to create some of the most grotesque moments of the film. Deleted Scenes: A nearly four-minute glimpse at some footage that didn't make the final cut in an unfinished form and commentary from Clive Barker. Photo Gallery (15:53) A Note from Clive Barker: A two-minute text screen message from the director. Theatrical Trailer (1:05) Final Thoughts Lord Of Illusions is somewhat more straightforward for a Clive Barker film, but that does not mean it does not have an edge to it. The gritty film noir about deadly illusionists has many disturbing moments that fit right in line with the output from the filmmaker, and even the presence of some dated special effects does not undercut this. Despite our general appreciation of his work, we are not sure if Scott Bakula was the right choice for the lead, but all of the character actors are suitably memorable. It is a mixed bag of a film, but it is well worth the journey into madness. Scream Factory has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a first-rate A/V presentation and a welcome collection of special features. Recommended Lord Of Illusions (Collector's Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.