RATING: A-

Republic Pictures presents a Twisted Pictures production in association with Envision Media Arts. Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. Produced by Mark Burg, Lee Nelson, and David Tish. Written by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer. Cinematography by Bella Gonzalez. Edited by Zeborah Tidwell.

Stars Djimon Hounsou, Lauren LaVera, Mia Healey, Gina Phillips, with Alicia Witt, and Neal McDonough.

A deadly game is played between a con artist and a neurologist on the verge of a breakthrough in the latest film from the director of Saw II and Abbatoir.

Paloma is a swindler who finds supposed rental properties and finds people willing to rent the houses, completely ignorant to the fact she doesn’t even know the owners. She is in a relationship with Smith and the two have been in NYC since having to escape other areas after nearly getting caught. However, when they make a bet about who can get the next victim faster, Paloma may have found her jackpot.

She poses as a possible tenant for a property that belongs to Robert, a well-respected neurologist who is on the verge of a major breakthrough. Having succeeded in animal tests, he feels he is ready for a human trial. However, he is shunned by his superiors. When Robert sees Paloma’s scan in effect, which results in her being assaulted, he saves her. However, he also realizes that he may have found the perfect subject for his first human trial. This leads to some shocking revelations about both Paloma and Robert as they play a deadly cat-and-mouse game against each other.

Being one of the great horror directors of this generation, Darren Lynn Bousman has decided to go a bit outside the box for his latest film. What is very interesting about this film is that there are no real protagonists or antagonists. The fact we see Paloma and Robert in a way at their wits end separately looks to be a recipe for chaos when they are in fact, together as an experimental doctor and an unwilling human subject.

Many have seen Djimon Hounsou as a villain in various films. However, this one may be his darkest role to date. As the neurologist who is on the verge of a major breakthrough, he finds himself relegated to sticking with animal tests because his funder, played by Neal McDonough, refuses to let him attempt at a human subject. This leads to Robert going to desperate lengths to do it himself and while he may come off as a hero of sorts for saving Paloma, his true intentions are revealed.

As for Paloma, Lauren LaVera is excellent in the role. She comes off as a con artist who uses literary figures as her disguises as she hustles her way to scam unsuspecting renters of properties she doesn’t even own or represent. And she seems proud of it. Her relationship with Smith, played by Mia Nealey, is complicated. Smith seems to be first heavily involved but does have caution as they were nearly caught and have to now hide in the Big Apple. This is important because when Paloma is kidnapped, Smith’s attempts to reach her proves to be vital as a specific clue is revealed that she knows her loved one may be in trouble.

Those who expect Bousman to unleash some sort of horror style violence will not be disappointed. There are over-the-top throat slashings and viewings of brain surgery seen on screen that is quite graphic. However, the story is important because despite the tension between Paloma and Robert, we learn why they are doing what they are doing and it has a sense of humanity underneath the surface.  Sure, on the surface, they come off as unlikable, but there is something deep underneath that result in excellent performances by both Hounsou and LaVera.

Twisted is a great film that showcases Djimon Hounsou and Lauren LaVera somewhat against type roles with LaVera playing an unlikable con artist and Hounsou in perhaps his darkest role to date. Darren Lynn Bousman once again doesn’t disappoint, even thinking outside the box. Definitely check this out!

The film will be released on VOD and Digital on February 6.