REVIEW: TRAUMATIKA

• Director: Pierre Tsigaridis
• Writer: Pierre Tsigaridis & Maxime Rancon
• Stars: Rebekah Kennedy, Emily Goss

REVIEW

Horror allegories are nothing new, in fact horror films address a lot of subjects through this method. In Traumatika, a passed-on demon is a used as a very unsubtle metaphor for trauma, especially childhood trauma and how it gets passed on not only generationally but the fallout when that trauma effects other people.

The film is told through the numerous time jumps, and then finally through an exploitative true crime tabloid show. Starting in 1910, which sees a man stagger out into the Sinai desert to bury a mysterious idol in the sand, which clues us in to the idols purpose or power. We are then thrown through time, 2003, then a year before and then 20 years later. Building a story of how the demon was unleashed, who it touched, what it made them do and how it was then passed on until we get to the ‘Pasadena murders’ which is the main plot of the film.

Tsigaridis focuses on the effects of the trauma as opposed to the actual traumatic event, you rarely see the incident(s) but instead the aftermath, however, the incidents in the film are very rough, could be triggering, are thoroughly unpleasant and you are left in no doubt as to what has happened despite not seeing it. That’s not to say that aren’t a few scenes that are very graphic. The coat-hanger scene in particular hasn’t left my brain as yet.

Kennedy is great in what is a challenging role. A damaged character in all the ways possible, and she still manages to give Abigail a sympathetic leaning. Goss as Abigail’s sister, Alice – now an adult and who is the focus for the last portion of the film – gives a good portrayal of someone touch by trauma indirectly, it didn’t happen to her but she still feels it.

Ultimately, Traumatika is uneven. There are some great performances and sequences. However, the writing isn’t always there. Some of the dialogue seems at odds with the what the established character would say. The ending whilst horrific didn’t quite land for me, the need for a one-liner at the end took away from the horror of the situation. Having said that, there is a lot to like about Traumatika and it is worth checking out.

Traumatika is in cinemas now

Ryan Morrissey-Smith