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Fantasia International Film Festival audiences were treated to the latest film by writer and director Jennifer Reeder (Knives and Skin, V/H/S/94), Perpetrator. The film tells the story of Jonny, a troubled teen who is sent to live with her Great Aunt Hildie. On her 18th birthday, Jonny discovers she has a unique ability that just might help her discover who is behind the disappearances of girls from her new school. Reeder is known for having a wholly unique visionary style to her films. While this style has sometimes been described as Lynchian in nature, upon closer inspection Reeder’s style is something different. There is a creativity and power to Perpetrator, as well as Reeder’s past films, that uses the fantastical and even psychedelic to tell compelling stories that encompass modern experiences for teenage girls and young queer people.

Perpetrator, at its core, is a story of self discovery. Jonny grew up with a single father who doesn’t seem capable of caring for her. Without a strong parental figure and no mother present to help guide her, she seems aimless. It isn’t until she moves in with her Great Aunt Hildie that she begins to learn more about herself, not just her newfound ability, but also discovering her sexuality. The nature of Jonny’s power, called “forevering,” is rooted in empathy. Her empathy runs so deep that she can hear the pleas of women suffering from miles away. She can even partially transform into those she empathizes with. Women are often looked down upon for their emotions and empathy, but Reeder has essentially turned it into a superpower. The combination of this coming of age story intertwined with a mystery only the protagonist can solve results in a fascinating, suspenseful journey dripping with thrills and feminist insight.

The story being told in Perpetrator is spellbinding, but there is one element that could have been developed a bit further. As the climax has Jonny finally come face-to-face with the perpetrator who has been kidnapping teenage girls, the kidnapper’s motivation isn’t entirely clear. There is enough information for the audience to piece together what is likely going on, but because of the more fantastical aspects of the plot these motivations are a bit murky. While it isn’t enough to take away from the power of Jonny’s story, it might leave some viewers a bit confused.

Each performance, whether played straight-forward or with a bit of added camp, is a joy to watch. Kiah McKirnan (Mare of Easttown, Night Sky) makes her feature-film debut in Perpetrator as Jonny. Jonny is a complex character and McKirnan brings her to life perfectly. There is a hard edge to Jonny, but McKirnan is able to convey the charisma and heart lurking just beneath the surface. McKirnan also shines in the more physical moments when Jonny’s forevering powers take over. Another wonderful performance comes from Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, The Lodge) as Great Aunt Hildie. In contrast to McKirnan’s more earnest portrayal of Jonny, Silverstone leans into camp while playing Hildie. There is a grandeur to Hildie that comes through in her fashion sense, as well as in Silverstone’s use of an accent and dramatic movements. Silverstone also gives the character a sinister yet playful demeanor that perfectly contrasts Jonny while still fitting in with the overall style of Perpetrator. Other standout performances come from Ireon Roach (Knives and Skin), Casimere Jollette (Tiny Pretty Things), Sasha Kuznetsov (Chicago Fire), and Christopher Lowell (Promising Young Woman).

As with any film by Reeder, Perpetrator has an imaginative aesthetic to delight audiences. Everything from the set design, costume design, lighting, and cinematography speaks to Reeder’s specific style. Perpetrator also features kaleidoscopic transitions, scenes that look as though a character is swimming in a sea of blood, and subtle CGI to showcase Jonny’s strange abilities. These visuals not only look stunning, but they also add to the strange yet beautiful narrative. Horror fans will also revel in the use of thick, goopy blood and strange, practically created wounds, including one some keen-eyed viewers might notice looks a bit like a vulva. A musical score by Nick Zinner (Knives and Skin) that is both suspenseful and dreamy in turn is the cherry on top, adding to the wonderful artistic appeal of the film.

Perpetrator is a dreamlike, coming-of-age supernatural thriller delivering camp, gore, feminism, and a compelling story about the power of empathy. Reeder once again proves she has a singular voice and style that is uniquely suited to telling tales of the horror experienced by teenage girls. It’s a style that might not be for everyone, but those who enjoy hallucinatory horrors and films with important messages are sure to be enchanted by Perpetrator. With strong performances from the likes of McKirnan and Silverstone alongside the striking aesthetics, audiences are definitely in for a wild ride. Be sure to keep an eye out for Perpetrator in theaters and on Shudder on September 1st.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10