Make Up

Make Up, a compelling British film released in 2019, is a subtly terrifying mixture that rests somewhere between psychological horror and evocative drama. Directed by Claire Oakley, the film presents a keen dissection of identity, sexual awakening, adolescent confusion, and obsessive curiosity. Produced by Emily Morgan and scripted by Claire Oakley, Make Up interestingly paints a journey into self-discovery using the canvas of a melancholic holiday park and its myriad layers of human interactions and emotions.

The film introduces Ruth, an eighteen-year-old woman played by Molly Windsor, who visits her boyfriend, Tom, portrayed by Joseph Quinn, in a desolate coastal holiday park in the off-peak season. Tom works as a caravan cleaner, and Ruth comes to spend time with him, unfolding a tale of fears, secrets, and passions as she starts living her life in this remote, eerie setup.

The film masterfully intersperses the humdrum of Ruth’s day-to-day life with the ominous backdrop of the holiday park that feels quite alienating. The distinct unpolished, sandy, and windswept landscape contributes to the mysterious aura, closely echoing Ruth's feelings of being lost and out of place. Oakley cleverly uses this to create an atmosphere filled with suspense and apprehension, underlining a growing tension that simulates the unsettlement brewing in Ruth’s world.

The crux of film lies in Ruth’s discovery of a red, curly hair strand on Tom’s clothes, followed by lipstick marks. These incidents set off a chain of speculation, suspicion, and jealousy in her mind, and she begins to question if Tom is having an affair. However, what initially seems like a straightforward plot gradually twists and derails into a nonlinear narrative full of uncertainty and psychological nuance. As Ruth navigates her way through dense emotions of fear, jealousy, longing, and rage, her paranoia escalates, leading her on an unexpected path.

Along the way, Ruth crosses paths with Jade, finely played by Stefanie Martini, another holiday park employee who forms an integral part of the tangled narrative. The growing friendship between Ruth and Jade takes the film's narrative to a different plane, introducing themes of womanhood and self-discovery in the mix. Through their interactions, Oakley delves deeper into Ruth's mental landscape, revealing layers of her personality as she grapples with her emotional turmoil.

Make Up incorporates a splendid blend of visual storytelling with outstanding cinematography by Nick Cooke. The camera effectively captures the off-kilter environment, along with the stark atmospheric elements, intensifying the overwhelming sense of dread. The artful use of color palettes further adds depth to the narrative, leading the viewer through Ruth's journey.

Molly Windsor's performance as Ruth is commendable as she brilliantly brings out her character's internal struggle and her metamorphosis with restrained and raw poignancy. Her portrayal of the naive and confused teenager slowly awakening to her fears and desires is central to the film's impact. The performances by the rest of the cast also lend credibility to the narrative, sketching vivid characters within the film's atmospheric setting.

Make Up is not just a story of possessive romance, jealousy, or betrayal. Instead, it is a transformative journey of self-exploration embedded in a narrative that transitions from the mundane to the eerie, from the familiar to the disconcertingly unusual. The film continuously, almost teasingly, blurs the boundaries between eerie suspense and stark realism. It keeps the viewers on their toes, leaving them guessing until the end.

Claire Oakley has beautifully used the means of thriller and suspense to unfold a human drama where fear and paranoia serve as catalysts for transformation. Oakley's obsession with detail, as seen in the carefully decorated sets, the precisely timed slow-burn pacing, and the nuanced storytelling, implies a remarkable sense of control and vision.

Despite being a slow-burn drama that does not adhere to the typical genre scripts, Make Up works effectively, leaving an indelible impact on the viewer. For those who appreciate cerebral cinema with a keen sense of ambiguity and an ear for the unsaid, Make Up is definitely a pick worth considering. It's a film that lingers in the mind, sparking contemplation and conversation long after the screen goes dark.