Cupid

Cupid is a horror and mystery movie released on February 2020, directed by Scott Jeffrey and starring Georgina Jane, Michael Owusu, Abi Casson Thompson. The film is a UK production from the Proportion Productions company and carries a run-time of about 83 minutes. An intriguing blend of supernatural horror and teen melodrama, Cupid encapsulates a contemporary twist to a story that dates back to Greek mythology.

In the movie, the classic character known as Cupid, the god of love from ancient mythology, is recast as the antagonist in a modern-day high school setting. Georgina Jane plays the role of Faye, a young, academically driven high school student, well focused on her studies but socially awkward and bullied by her classmates. Faye’s life takes a horrifying turn when an ornate box containing an enchanted antique locket falls into her possession.

It becomes revealed that this is no ordinary locket, and opening it unleashes a vengeful deity who has been trapped inside. The locket's inhabitant seems to be a grotesquely demonic version of Cupid, known from Greek mythology as the god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection. While in traditional lore Cupid's role is often benign or mischievous (think Valentine's Day) this version is a uniquely chilling twist on that familiar figure, fashioned into a harbinger of hate and destruction.

The plot of the movie progresses as Cupid begins a bloody reign of terror on the high school students leading up to the Valentine's ball. As they struggle to survive, Faye and her recently reconciled best friend, Elise - played by Abi Casson Thompson - team up to stop this menace. With the high school serving as a vibrant backdrop, the story unfolds with our protagonists navigating their way around the terror spreading around them while also dealing with teen dilemmas like peer pressure, bullying, friendship and romantic liaisons.

Michael Owusu plays the role of the demonic Cupid, instigating terror among the students with top-class performance. The visual effects team creates a Cupid character that's alternately eerie and menacing, and the tension-filled scenes with this character represent some of the finest moments in the film.

A notable aspect of Cupid is its commitment to a strong female storyline. Both Faye and Elise are anything but damsels in distress. They are complex characters, with depth and distinct personality traits, that portray a sense of strength and determination as they try to figure out a way to stop the terror that has hijacked their school.

While Cupid is rooted in the horror genre, there are also elements of mystery and suspense throughout. The movie does a great job of keeping viewers guessing about the origins of the ominous locket, the true nature of the demonic Cupid and above all, how the students will possibly manage to survive the onslaught.

The film, despite its macabre theme, offers an underlying commentary on the theme of bullying. Faye being the main subject of bullying in her high school, highlights the physical, mental, and emotional toll that such abuse has on its victims.

The movie's cinematography is universally atmospheric and gloomy, often bathed in distinctly supernatural glows representing the presence of the ancient and malevolent spirit from the locket. All of these elements come together to make Cupid a nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat experience for any viewer.

Cupid successfully combines elements of horror, mystery, and high school drama to construct an intricate, engaging plot that captures the attention of viewers from the opening scenes. If you are a fan of horror flicks, teen dramas or Greek mythology, be sure to tune into Cupid for a fresh and thrilling cinematic experience.