Piercing

Reed, a suffocated bachelor, is desperate to escape his controlling mother and the suffocating expectations of his life. He decides to hire a prostitute, but his plan takes a shocking turn when he realizes she has her own dangerous agenda. What begins as a desperate attempt at liberation devolves into a brutal and chaotic battle for survival.

Piercing received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who generally praised its stylish direction, unsettling atmosphere, and the performances of its lead actors. However, some found the plot to be thin and the violence gratuitous.

• Visually stylish and boasting strong performances, particularly from Christopher Abbott and Mia Goth.

• Effectively builds a tense and disturbing atmosphere.

• Some critics found the narrative lacking depth and the extreme violence to be excessive.

Google audience: Audience reviews are divided, with many appreciating the film's unique tone and unsettling nature. However, a significant portion found the plot to be predictable and the extreme gore to be off-putting.

Director Nicolas Pesce was inspired to make the film after reading the novel of the same name by Ryu Murakami, which also inspired the Japanese film 'Audition'.