“Crush 2022” is a fast-paced, adrenaline-filled action-thriller set in a near-future world. As a deadly virus sweeps the globe, humanity faces its ultimate test. A team of elite soldiers must infiltrate a heavily fortified government facility to retrieve the cure and save the world. Along the way, they face insurmountable obstacles and must fight tooth and nail to survive. In the end, only those with true grit will emerge victorious in this high-octane race against time.
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Review
In Crush, a delicate web of love, jealousy, and betrayal forms between three high school girls. The story opens with popular and confident senior Fay (portrayed by Cary Elwes) taking the vulnerable and introverted Lucy (played by Alicia Silverstone) under her wing. As they grow closer, Fay introduces Lucy to the toxic world of extreme power dynamics and manipulation.
The movie is based on a true story that occurred in 1993 in New Zealand and has since been known as the Parker-Hulme murder case. The two friends involved were Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, who eventually murdered Pauline’s mother after their relationship was threatened with separation.
Director Alan Shapiro has created a gripping tale that keeps the audience on their toes throughout the film. The intensity is contagious, as each character’s motives become questionable.
Silverstone gives a powerful performance as Lucy, displaying vulnerability with grace and authenticity. Elwes is convincing in his role as Fay; his charisma drawing us into the character’s manipulative hold until we’re unsure where our loyalties lie.
The film’s score adds an ominous feel to the scenes featuring manipulation and deceit. It feels as though something dangerous could happen at any moment, keeping you on edge from start to finish.
What makes this movie truly memorable is its ability to take such an intense subject matter and make it relatable to anyone who’s ever felt left out or powerless in their formative years. It reveals how one person’s influence can change another’s life entirely, leading them down paths they never thought possible.
Crush was not well received upon release but became somewhat of a cult classic in later years. Though it was not critically acclaimed or well-loved upon its initial release-its boldness deserving of praise- its staying power slowly built over time thanks to more recent audiences discovering it.
The cinematography stands out for its smart use of camera angles and lighting. The way the characters are framed often leaves room for interpretation, deliberately keeping us guessing about their true motives.
The film’s editing is also worth mentioning, in particular, a scene where Lucy confronts Fay. The way the tension is built with each cut creates a visceral feeling, making you feel like you’re right in the room with them.
Critics have argued that the film doesn’t explore female relationships deeply enough and instead relies too heavily on cliché high school dynamics. However, this does not detract from the fact that the movie tells a compelling story with memorable performances all around.
It is impossible to walk away from this movie without feeling affected by its message. It will make you reflect on your own experiences of friendships and how they can have a significant impact on your life’s trajectory if not chosen wisely.
Overall, Crush is an intense and powerful movie that deserves all the accolades it has received over time. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved with bold storytelling and excellent acting.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 92
- Release : 2022-04-29
- Genre : Comedy, Romance
- Cast : Rowan Blanchard as Paige Evans, Auli’i Cravalho as AJ Campos, Isabella Ferreira as Gabriela Campos, Tyler Alvarez as Dillon, Teala Dunn as Stacey Clark
- Crew : Natasha Lyonne as Producer, Danielle Renfrew Behrens as Producer, Andrew Miano as Producer, Maya Rudolph as Producer, Jeremy Garelick as Producer
- Popularity 26.173
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Animal Pictures, American High, Depth of Field
- Summary : When an aspiring young artist is forced to join her high school track team, she uses it as an opportunity to pursue the girl she’s been harboring a long-time crush on. But she soon finds herself falling for an unexpected teammate and discovers what real love feels like.
- Tagline : Love is messy AF.
