I love Katy Colloton and she's never looked better but the movie feels unfinished, like it's just roughed out, almost as if there are no connections, no joints. The story is about a therapist who abuses her power over her patients when she hypnotizes them. It starts out intriguing but becomes a letdown.
29 Reviews
Bad,bad,bad
beeko-assaf30 December 2017
Stupid as Hell
nanettemeau30 August 2021
Based on a true story
donnemrich23 June 2021
Prime always knows what I need to watch when i can't sleep but unfortunately for me this kept me up all night. A great example that you don't need a big budget to make a successful film. Good actors and a thrilling plot, The Scarapist is a winner and the friction between the novelist, therapist and the disturbed patients was exiting and fast paced. Glad to have watched another underrated film on here.
A Theological Thriller
weforallseasons8 July 2021
Not a traditional film. Groundbreaking in its approaches. A mosaic of moments that make up trauma and suspense. Excellent performances from Jeanne Marie Spicuzza and R. Michael Gull. Harkens German Expressionism and late Italian Neorealism. A combination of silent, noir and art house. Holds attention to the end.
Insane therapist
dianacahnd20 June 2021
I'm having second thoughts now talking to my therapist. Just kidding but this is a really impressive, well put together fast paced thriller. The editing and coloring was spot on and really set the mood for all the chaos that unfolds. The actress playing the therapist is my favorite, really talented and made the film come alive.
Worth watching especially for those who consider therapy
mariannamankowska17 July 2018
I watched "Scarapist' back in 2015 on La Femme Film Festival, while I was in therapy by myself. I guess it was important but scary movie to watch at that time, the fact that it's based on true story is almost unbelievable. Great actors work and really scary, twisted plot. I highly recommend!!
I didn't like it --
wearethefirstandlastnight10 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
-- I LOVED it! The Scarapist is a thrill ride, true to the suspense and psychological thriller genres -- ordinary people stumbling into extraordinary circumstances. Certified in film studies and a film critic, I'm called to find truly unique voices in cinema. Jeanne Marie Spicuzza and Synthian Sharp accomplish this. The Scarapist defines a new wave of female-driven, noir-inspired psychological thriller and horror movies, I honestly found some of the music and camera angles unnerving -- I think that's the point. The autumn landscapes, not of the CITY that doesn't care, as in film noir, but of the SUBURB that doesn't care, which adds to the genre. The squirrel is genius in that effect. It's definitely not cinematic in the contemporary sense, but in the manner of 1940s cinema -- and hits the mark. The image of hand of the Lana character, fallen-empty-open, at the lowest point of the character's arch, and the hyper-real sounds of her crashing to the ground -- brilliant. I enjoyed the performances of the three leads, as well as Nathaniel Ross and Bryn Hartnett. The process of Ilse's possession is not typical -- that I also enjoyed. Wonderful first-time film from a female auteur. Highly recommended.
Creepy
joshiecritic1 July 2021
This film should at least be a 6.5 on here. The movie didn't drag out like a lot of other thriller movies i've seen of late and the ending was really unexpected. The insane therapist has some real talent and I'm hoping we see more of her. Mabye a part 2 soon?
Watch on Prime
shanksfilmmaker21 May 2021
This is another great film I've seen of late that I would never have heard of, if it wasn't for Amazon Prime recommending films like this to me. Long story short, the film is a great thriller movie and the actresses who plays the therapist was my favorite - she was convincing and really played into her character. A gem of a film if your into this psychological, thriller genre. This is easily a 8 or a 9.
Exactly how a thriller film should be
kendellsdream14 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I just seen this on CurdledTV and I'm impressed as to how well this turned out. A psychological film about a wild therapist who entangles a novelist by emotionally manipulating him. Super creepy, good editing and the cinematography was excellent. Watch it!
Seriously well done!
cynvanity27 October 2020
A friend had mentioned how good this film was so I had to check it out. Thankfully I wasn't disappointed. The film is about a insane therapist who abuses her power as she hypnotises people. What could go wrong? Without giving away the story too much, The Scarapist had me at the edge of my seat. Great shot selections, acting was on point as was the ending. Katy Colloton is an absolute superstar and I hope to see more of her in the new year. A high quality film and a true story so it's a must watch from me!
The Scarapist Tantalizes and Torments
info-350827 December 2017
I began watching The Scarapist and just couldn't stop. In true to suspense form, it held my attention and made me want to know what was going to happen throughout.
The sound design, music and much of the filming and editing were masterful. My favorite performances were R. Michael Gull as Sweenie, Jeanne Marie Spicuzza as Lana, and Bryn Hartnett as Phoenix. All of the characters were well cast.
I enjoyed the simplicity of the plot structure, and the complexities of the symbolism. The hypnosis scenes terrified me. The overall presentation is authentic, almost at times like a docudrama. A fascinating and highly creative approach to the subject and narrative.
The treatment is very unique, like nothing I've ever seen, and, certified in film studies, I research and watch a lot of motion pictures.
I was reminded of Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, especially the scene at the window between Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson, and some of the early film noir, like This Gun for Hire and Possessed.
The Scarapist is what one might refer to as psychological horror, as it is truly terror that gets under the skin. So grateful that the filmmakers chose to execute The Scarapist. It gave me a great deal to think and feel about.
The sound design, music and much of the filming and editing were masterful. My favorite performances were R. Michael Gull as Sweenie, Jeanne Marie Spicuzza as Lana, and Bryn Hartnett as Phoenix. All of the characters were well cast.
I enjoyed the simplicity of the plot structure, and the complexities of the symbolism. The hypnosis scenes terrified me. The overall presentation is authentic, almost at times like a docudrama. A fascinating and highly creative approach to the subject and narrative.
The treatment is very unique, like nothing I've ever seen, and, certified in film studies, I research and watch a lot of motion pictures.
I was reminded of Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, especially the scene at the window between Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson, and some of the early film noir, like This Gun for Hire and Possessed.
The Scarapist is what one might refer to as psychological horror, as it is truly terror that gets under the skin. So grateful that the filmmakers chose to execute The Scarapist. It gave me a great deal to think and feel about.
Good thriller with an important message.
MsLSimon15 August 2021
I honestly didn't know about the statistics about bad therapists until I saw this film. It was really eye opening. Having the film then show us how bad it can get by sharing this true story was very effective. It's good when films are more than just entertainment but they also are trying to educate. It was effective in both.
Shocking, suspenseful, revelatory!
wheresmywife31 December 2017
Really good
d-ramseeey30 January 2021
I made a big mistake by watching this alone. I was freaked out and super paranoid by the time the end credits came so you have been warned, The plot and story flowed well right from the get go and the editing and music was done to perfection. I've seen a lot of films in the last year (due to the lockdown) and The Scarapist is one you need to watch if your into the horror genre. Well done.
What Worth Is and Wishes Unto Self and Others
StephenSyails16 August 2021
I don't want to break the Gestalt of this film. The acting is superb. I rarely see the application of Meisner demonstrated in cinema, and "The Scarapist" does it to perfection. I've no doubt experience and training lend a hand. I am talking about stark performance, and the interrelationships, beats and pauses. It poured like wine into the suspense and kept me engaged. This is a unique, character-driven thriller. The tone is operatic, the score and sound design, flawless. The mood is dreamlike. The cinematography alludes to John Seitz under the influence of Billy Wilder. The editing is beautifully crafted, early Steven Soderbergh, evolved. Marvelous dialogue. I thought I would anticipate iterations and outcome, and was continually surprised. Narcissism is fully demonstrated and revealed. Evil loathes itself but is not self-sustaining. The metaphysics of the story are at the heart of this world. The key is self-worth. I will be teaching it in my classes. It is an example of the spectrum and historicity of motion picture, an intelligence of design and execution. Ms. Spicuzza, get ready for your Oscar. We, your audience, will be watching.
A must-watch !
isabeldrean1 September 2021
Is Jeanne Spicuzza Alfred Hitchkock's grand-daughter?
philo-2743223 October 2015
Kept me on the edge of my seat. Jeanne has the mastery to keep the viewer there without quite taking them beyond.
The reason I've given ten stars is because Jeanne did everything right.
Plot: Have not seen one like it. This will get the conversation going.
Casting: Still haunted the next day. How did Jeanne find such people who fit perfectly into their roles?
Music: Absolutely right. Music perhaps the final necessary ingredient to make everything work.
As professional a presentation as I've ever seen with no need to go over the top with artificial effects. Who knows, maybe Hollywood will learn something from Jeanne?
The reason I've given ten stars is because Jeanne did everything right.
Plot: Have not seen one like it. This will get the conversation going.
Casting: Still haunted the next day. How did Jeanne find such people who fit perfectly into their roles?
Music: Absolutely right. Music perhaps the final necessary ingredient to make everything work.
As professional a presentation as I've ever seen with no need to go over the top with artificial effects. Who knows, maybe Hollywood will learn something from Jeanne?
Seems to be a lot of buzz
sdefendi4 September 2021
This movie is showing up in my feeds, so despite the release date, it caught my attention. Now I can see why. It's definitely original. I was actually surprised by the maturity and depth of the performances, especially Spicuzza. The music and and visual look of the film drew me in and held me there. Looking forward to more work by this director.
Wow, I didn't know
MYaGuitar6 September 2021
Worth it
burakcelkk-4974624 June 2021
I don't remember the last time I actually watched an indie film from start to finish. This was really well executed and clearly the team involved in this production knows what they were doing. Script had layers to it that kept me craving for more. Give it a go you weren't be disappointing.
WoW!
vhcaudit20 November 2015
Scarapist So here's the deal on the Scarapist. Prepare for your autonomic nervous system to take charge. Never mind the crisp cinematography, the fades, parries, and cuts for drama, the wet-your-pants suspense, no that's familiar landscape for noir genre. Insertion into the crisp plot as though actually present took me to new levels of sympathy for the characters, even the villain captured my pity. Granted casting the lead with a drop-dead gorgeous dame, the have-to-bite-my-hand-and-kill-myself kind of seductress drew me into her plight, but that was the filmmaker's intention. Avoid this film if you have no imagination, think you might want to vote for Sarah Palin, only watch Andy Griffith reruns. Else, head your ass over to a movie house and prepare for entertainment that you'll gush to your ex-mother-in-law, that you'll carry to your grave.
This New-Thought practitioner is OUT OF HER MIND
guyhoffman_5425 July 2021
In a suburban setting, The Scarapist pits two women who have feelings, doubts, aspirations and yearnings for the own needs to deal with their own issues. The conscious and deliberate will of a New-Thought practitioner entices a troubled novelist - perhaps in a vivid, unforgettable dream - to begin closing her marriage and household in exchange for a higher level of creativity. The therapist gets some needed help from two bad guys, and the plot thickens. This compels the would-be patient to emerge out of the nightmare to end the hypnotic cycle, ultimately clashing with the willful and determined Scarapist. In this life-expression vs. Self-expression story, there is a moral. Ultimately, it is the living that is significant and the direction in which this living is moving.
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