Utopia has released the highly anticipated trailer for Pascal Plante’s critically acclaimed horror film, Red Rooms. The indie psychological thriller, which explores the disturbing depths of deep web urban legends, is set to make its U.S. theatrical premiere on Friday, September 6, at the IFC Center in New York. Pascal Plante himself will be in attendance for the opening weekend, adding to the film’s already burgeoning hype.
Red Rooms represents Plante’s third narrative feature, following the notable successes of Nadia, Butterfly (2020) and Fake Tattoos (2018). The film features an impressive cast of Quebec actors, including Juliette Gariépy, Laurie Babin, and Maxwell McCabe-Lokos. The performances of these actors have garnered significant praise on the film festival circuit, particularly the riveting portrayal by Gariépy.
The film’s plot revolves around Kelly-Anne, a young woman obsessed with the trial of Ludovic Chevalier, who stands accused of the grisly murders of three teenage girls. The narrative delves deeply into Kelly-Anne’s morbid fascination with the case, examining the psychological toll it takes on her. Her interactions with other regulars at the courtroom further illuminate her unsettling obsession. As the trial progresses, Kelly-Anne’s fixation grows, leading to a blurring of the lines between her reality and her dark preoccupation.
Originally titled Les Chambres Rouges in its native French, Red Rooms premiered at the 2023 Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Since then, it has captivated audiences at a plethora of prestigious festivals, including the Fantasia International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival.
The film draws its inspiration from the notorious dark web myth of “red rooms,” alleged online spaces where viewers can watch real-time acts of torture or murder. Through this lens, Red Rooms explores the public’s gruesome fascination with serial killers and the often blurred lines between fascination and complicity. The trailer suggests a skillful combination of true-crime intrigue and genre cinema, promising to deliver a uniquely unsettling experience.
Red Rooms has already accumulated a significant number of awards. The film swept the 2023 Fantasia Cheval Noir Competition, claiming awards for Best Performance (Juliette Gariépy), Best Screenplay, Best Film, and Best Motion Picture Score.
. Additionally, it has been nominated for five Canadian Screen Awards and 13 Irises, with Gariépy and Babin both receiving top honors.
The reception of Red Rooms on the festival circuit has been overwhelmingly positive, with critics hailing it as a masterclass in tension and psychological horror. Plante’s meticulous direction, combined with a compelling script, has made Red Rooms a standout piece in contemporary horror cinema. The thematic richness of the film, exploring the intersections of obsession, violence, and voyeurism, offers plenty of material for both casual viewers and cinema scholars to dissect.
Juliette Gariépy’s portrayal of Kelly-Anne has been particularly noted for its nuanced complexity. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from obsessive determination to disorienting fear, anchors the film’s narrative and brings an added layer of depth to the storytelling. The supporting cast, including Laurie Babin and Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, also delivers performances that complement and enhance the unsettling atmosphere of the film.
As the U.S. premiere at the IFC Center approaches, anticipation continues to build. The presence of Pascal Plante at the opening weekend is expected to draw considerable attention from both fans and critics alike. This appearance will offer an opportunity for audience members to engage directly with the filmmaker, providing a deeper understanding of the creative process behind this chilling narrative.
Pascal Plante’s Red Rooms is poised to be one of the most talked-about horror films of the year. Its U.S. release on September 6 marks a significant milestone, bringing this dark and captivating story to a wider audience. With its award-winning performances, gripping plot, and haunting exploration of morbid obsessions, Red Rooms is set to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of psychological horror.
Make sure to mark your calendars for this uneasily thrilling journey into the dark recesses of human fascination and the terrifying unknown that is Pascal Plante’s Red Rooms.
