A Cure For Wellness
A young company man, Lockhart (Dane Dehaan) is sent to a remote “wellness center” in the Swiss Alps to bring back his company’s CEO (Harry Groener); but, there must be something in the water, upon arrival Lockhart realizes getting out of this medical facility will be impossibly difficult under the watchful eye of Dr. Volmer (Jason Isaacs) and what of this special case, Hannah (Mia Goth)? This can’t possibly end “well,” can it?
Drawing from the kitchen sink approach to anxiety nightmares Director Gore Verbinski has successfully created the next film to get under your skin, unsettle the soul, and leave you scratching your head wondering “what the hell did I just see?” Part homage to Hitchcock and German Expressionism this horrific psychological thriller is not an easy watch by any stretch. Critical themes of capitalism, personal freedom, what is “normal,” and escapism, see blatant thumping throughout, and, for the first two thirds work to create a relatively successful twisting semi-labyrinth, by act three though, the wheels come off and this train car on fire comes careening down the mountain in an expected cataclysmic force. Still, points for style and artistic liberties, this artistic schadenfreude certainly has its place in the suitcase of Dr. Caligari, take that for what it’s worth. A Cure For Wellness is rated R.