Why is every single woman in movie absolutely mental? No seriously what is Żuławski’s thing with portraying women as completely unhinged vessels of chaos? Possession and The Devil both feel like fever dreams dipped in hysteria. One minute I’m thinking, “This might be the most brilliant thing I’ve ever watched,” and the next I’m gagging, physically uncomfortable, hovering over the pause button wondering if I should just give up.
Despite all the disturbing and unnecessary nudity, I actually enjoyed The Devil more than Possession. There’s something inherently uncomfortable about how Żuławski frames female suffering. It’s not just unsettling it feels exploitative at times, like their bodies are being used as symbols for emotional chaos rather than actual characters with depth. It’s always the women who are exposed, physically and emotionally, while the men mostly get to scream, brood, or commit violence. Watching it is like being dragged through a spiritual breakdown in slow motion while someone whispers, “You don’t understand art.”
Safe to say I won’t be watching any more of Żuławski’s films. Even though I genuinely admire the artistic side of his work, there are aspects that I just can’t sit through again. This man’s cinema is simply not for me. But I do know I’ll be watching something light next. Possibly with no screaming women.
Why is every single woman in movie absolutely mental? No seriously what is Żuławski’s thing with portraying women as completely unhinged vessels of chaos? Possession and The Devil both feel like fever dreams dipped in hysteria. One minute I’m thinking, “This might be the most brilliant thing I’ve ever watched,” and the next I’m gagging, physically uncomfortable, hovering over the pause button wondering if I should just give up.
Despite all the disturbing and unnecessary nudity, I actually enjoyed The Devil more than Possession. There’s something inherently uncomfortable about how Żuławski frames female suffering. It’s not just unsettling it feels exploitative at times, like their bodies are being used as symbols for emotional chaos rather than actual characters with depth. It’s always the women who are exposed, physically and emotionally, while the men mostly get to scream, brood, or commit violence. Watching it is like being dragged through a spiritual breakdown in slow motion while someone whispers, “You don’t understand art.”
Safe to say I won’t be watching any more of Żuławski’s films. Even though I genuinely admire the artistic side of his work, there are aspects that I just can’t sit through again. This man’s cinema is simply not for me. But I do know I’ll be watching something light next. Possibly with no screaming women.