In Fabric

In Fabric is a dramatic, thriller movie released in 2018 directed by Peter Strickland. This horror-comedy art film centers on an eerie department store and an ill-fated red dress that brings devastation and chaos wherever it goes, exploring the themes of consumerism, occultism, ritualism, and fetishism.

The film stars Sidse Babett Knudsen, as Jill, a saleswoman at the Dentley and Soper's Trusted Department Store, a supernatural place beyond comprehension, trapped in a timeless reality of its own. Julian Barratt plays a supporting role as Stash, a mechanic and boyfriend to co-star Marianne Jean-Baptiste's character, Sheila. Sheila, a divorced bank teller, becomes the first victim to the cursed scarlet rod after purchasing it for a date.

Knudsen excels in playing the enigmatic character of a saleswoman while employing an icy yet strangely sensual style in selling the dress. Jean-Baptiste masterfully portrays the everyday struggles of Sheila, a single mother caught in the spiral of her mundane life. Meanwhile, Barratt, known for his comedic roles, subtly uses humor to balance the chilling scenes.

The story seamlessly moves between the personal narratives of the luckless owners of the red dress, capturing their individual lives intertwined by the same frock and the supernatural occurrences it brings about. The dress, ensnared by a curse, begins to manipulate its wearer's life in the most horrifying way.

In Fabric boasts impressive cinematography, attributing a significant part of its creepiness to its visual appeal. The director, Peter Strickland, weaves together a remarkable tapestry of high aesthetics, creating a surreal and haunting atmosphe-re reflected through its stark color scheme and detailed shots. Each frame is composed with painstaking detail, combining the everyday normalcy of a department store with the bizarre rituals practiced within, resulting in a unique viewing experience.

Intriguing, and atmospheric, In Fabric’s sound design and score add another level to the film's terror. The film uses a hauntingly beautiful yet horrifying score that echoes throughout, heightening the tension and contributing to the overall abstract ambience. The sounds echo the macabre interest the movie takes in its central object, creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the narrative.

As opposed to a straightforward horror, In Fabric uses elements of comedy to create an off-kilter, unsettling atmosphere. The film explores fear not through visceral horror but through absurdities, combining a series of bizarre events and characters to create a sense of dread.

The film also takes a satirical approach to the way we regard consumerism, reflecting somewhat on our relationship with clothing and the power we hand over to objects. The film, to a certain extent, dissects the relationship between consumer and product. The unnerving scenes involving the dress highlight its hold over its owners, morphing into a metaphor for our obsessions with material goods and the extreme lengths we might unconsciously go to protect them.

Peter Strickland’s In Fabric brilliantly blurs boundaries between genres, straddling the line between absurdist comedy, horror, and social commentary, creating an oddly satisfying art film that leaves an impression long after the credits roll. The film, heightened by exceptional performances from a talented ensemble cast, cleverly breathes life into an inanimate object, weaving a narrative that makes you fear the inexplicable power of a red dress.

In the end, Strickland’s In Fabric is an eerie, visually stunning film that resists being boxed into a single genre. While ritually embracing elements of horror, thriller, and satire, it creates an aesthetic and atmosphere that is both uniquely beautiful and deeply disturbing. Fueled by strong performances, especially by Jean-Baptiste and Knudsen, the film proves to be a cinematic experience worthy of attention.

In conclusion, In Fabric is a mesmerizing, confounding, and hypnotic film that takes viewers on an unexpected journey. Its abstract narrative, superb performances, and hyper-focused visual style make it a standout film. It's not a movie for those seeking a traditional horror but is a perfect fit for those who enjoy explorations into the strange and unusual. It's a bold illustration of why Strickland is considered one of the most innovative voices in modern cinema, making In Fabric an inescapable experience in mysterious allure.