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With October firmly in the rearview mirror, it’s bizarre to reflect on what a wild month it turned out to be. Not only did Trace and I celebrate our 200th Main Feed episode with Karyn Kusama’s perfect film, The Invitation (2015), we revisited David Gordon Green’s divisive Halloween Kills, and even managed to get Don Mancini and RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon on as guests.
We’re kicking off November with a decidedly quieter and more obscure film: Jennifer Reeder‘s Knives and Skin (2019). I reviewed the film upon its initial release, so I was happy to revisit it with fresh eyes, helped in no small part by our great guest, Princess Weekes.
In the film noir and musical-adjacent film, small-town band girl Carolyn Harper (Raven Whitley) goes missing, leaving confusion and concern in her wake. As her mother (Marika Engelhardt) unravels, Carolyn...
With October firmly in the rearview mirror, it’s bizarre to reflect on what a wild month it turned out to be. Not only did Trace and I celebrate our 200th Main Feed episode with Karyn Kusama’s perfect film, The Invitation (2015), we revisited David Gordon Green’s divisive Halloween Kills, and even managed to get Don Mancini and RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon on as guests.
We’re kicking off November with a decidedly quieter and more obscure film: Jennifer Reeder‘s Knives and Skin (2019). I reviewed the film upon its initial release, so I was happy to revisit it with fresh eyes, helped in no small part by our great guest, Princess Weekes.
In the film noir and musical-adjacent film, small-town band girl Carolyn Harper (Raven Whitley) goes missing, leaving confusion and concern in her wake. As her mother (Marika Engelhardt) unravels, Carolyn...
- 11/7/2022
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
Content warning: mention of sexual abuse.
An intense penultimate episode -- directed by Scott Peters, co-creator of the original The 4400 series -- leaves us with plenty to look forward to for the season finale.
On 4400 Season 1 Episode 12, the Rev’s fate remains a mystery, and dark forces threaten our characters at every turn.
But, as always, there were also moments of light. A central theme of this episode was sibling relationships -- love, loyalty, and betrayal.
The focus on Mildred’s past brought to light her relationship with her sister, Millicent, and the life from which they both were taken.
Abandoned by their mother at a young age, the two Millies were left to be raised in a commune with a creepy leader.
As Caleb, Flueger has that gentle hippie vibe down, with a pervy, power-hungry undertone that makes him utterly hateable.
To protect her little sister, Millicent agrees to stay,...
An intense penultimate episode -- directed by Scott Peters, co-creator of the original The 4400 series -- leaves us with plenty to look forward to for the season finale.
On 4400 Season 1 Episode 12, the Rev’s fate remains a mystery, and dark forces threaten our characters at every turn.
But, as always, there were also moments of light. A central theme of this episode was sibling relationships -- love, loyalty, and betrayal.
The focus on Mildred’s past brought to light her relationship with her sister, Millicent, and the life from which they both were taken.
Abandoned by their mother at a young age, the two Millies were left to be raised in a commune with a creepy leader.
As Caleb, Flueger has that gentle hippie vibe down, with a pervy, power-hungry undertone that makes him utterly hateable.
To protect her little sister, Millicent agrees to stay,...
- 2/8/2022
- by Mary Littlejohn
- TVfanatic
The CW’s 4400 is getting a visit from an Og abductee in Monday’s episode (airing at 9/8c), and he’s definitely giving us a bad feeling in TVLine’s exclusive sneak peek.
As seen in the video above, Patrick John Flueger — who played returnee Shawn Farrell on the original USA Network drama — guest-stars on the reboot as Caleb, as a charismatic figure from Mildred’s past. In the flashback scene, Caleb presides over a communal dinner, when Mildred’s sister Milicent (played by Raven Whitley) takes an early bite before Caleb is done giving thanks for the food. The...
As seen in the video above, Patrick John Flueger — who played returnee Shawn Farrell on the original USA Network drama — guest-stars on the reboot as Caleb, as a charismatic figure from Mildred’s past. In the flashback scene, Caleb presides over a communal dinner, when Mildred’s sister Milicent (played by Raven Whitley) takes an early bite before Caleb is done giving thanks for the food. The...
- 2/4/2022
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Stars: Marika Engelhardt, Tim Hopper, Kate Arrington, Audrey Francis, Tony Fitzpatrick, James Vincent Meredith, Ty Olwin, Robert T. Cunningham, Alex Moss, Raven Whitley, Genevieve Venjohnson | Written and Directed by Jennifer Reeder
The disappearance of a female teenager in a small rural town in America starts an almost domino effect of problems for the people that knew her… Knives and Skin is part coming of age drama part dark thriller and it manages to feel like nothing I have seen before.
Director Jennifer Reeder definitely has a certain vision and sees it out completely, even if, for me, it fails to work almost as much as it works. Although we assume it is set in present day, it almost feels like it is set in its own little universe with the fashion, dialogue and sets there own unique thing.
I did enjoy much of the set and costume design though. The...
The disappearance of a female teenager in a small rural town in America starts an almost domino effect of problems for the people that knew her… Knives and Skin is part coming of age drama part dark thriller and it manages to feel like nothing I have seen before.
Director Jennifer Reeder definitely has a certain vision and sees it out completely, even if, for me, it fails to work almost as much as it works. Although we assume it is set in present day, it almost feels like it is set in its own little universe with the fashion, dialogue and sets there own unique thing.
I did enjoy much of the set and costume design though. The...
- 4/6/2020
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
In Knives and Skin, a date between two high school students, Carolyn Harper (Raven Whitley) and Andy Kitzmiller (Ty Olwin), goes terribly wrong, leading to misogynistic attitudes and the disappearance of the young girl. While writer/director Jennifer Reeder uses the setting of a film noir, with some Twin Peaks vibe to it, Knives and Skin is really more like a weird collage of small-town characters that are related somehow to the missing Carolyn Harper and that are dealing with their very own conflicts. By following other teenagers (actresses Grace Smith and Kayla Carter are part of the young cast) and the (equally troubled) adults in their lives, Knives and Skin touches many dark themes (from grief to...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 12/18/2019
- Screen Anarchy
Jennifer Reeder’s “Knives and Skin” will test the limits of viewer patience. The positive qualities lie in the surrealistic film’s bold cinematography, distinctive use of music, and diversity of cast, though that’s not enough to redeem this tedious viewing experience. Following a festival run that began at the Berlinale, IFC Midnight is giving the film a limited release in theaters Dec. 6, day-and-date with VOD.
In an unnamed suburban town somewhere in Illinois, the disappearance of Carolyn Harper (Raven Whitley) sends a ripple of paranoia throughout the community. While every secret revelation leads closer to the truth of her disappearance, as long as the case goes unsolved, the inhabitants begin to unravel. The upheaval is most pronounced among the young women of the area, including drug dealer Joanna Kitzmiller (Grace Smith), goth musician Charlotte Kirtich (Ireon Roach), and cheerleader Laurel Darlington (Kayla Carter). According to the social hierarchy of high school,...
In an unnamed suburban town somewhere in Illinois, the disappearance of Carolyn Harper (Raven Whitley) sends a ripple of paranoia throughout the community. While every secret revelation leads closer to the truth of her disappearance, as long as the case goes unsolved, the inhabitants begin to unravel. The upheaval is most pronounced among the young women of the area, including drug dealer Joanna Kitzmiller (Grace Smith), goth musician Charlotte Kirtich (Ireon Roach), and cheerleader Laurel Darlington (Kayla Carter). According to the social hierarchy of high school,...
- 12/6/2019
- by Valerie Complex
- Variety Film + TV
What do you get when you mix John Waters/David Lynch with a dash of Riverdale and heaping of musicals? You may get something like Jennifer Reeder’s teen neo-noir musical extravaganza Knives and Skin. An official selection at Berlinale and Fantasia Film Festival, IFC Midnight has released the arresting first trailer in anticipation of the film’s release next month.
Much like Twin Peaks asked the question, “Who killed Laura Palmer?,” Knives and Skin asks, “What happened to Carolyn Harper?” Harper’s (Raven Whitley) mysterious disappearance shakes her midwestern town to the core and it’s up to Sheriff Doug Darlington (James Vincent Meredith), the father of two of Harper’s classmates, to solve the case. What follows is the unveiling of secrets that have plagued many of her acquaintances and family in this seemingly mundane town. Previewing a surreal fever dream of a movie, there’s even a...
Much like Twin Peaks asked the question, “Who killed Laura Palmer?,” Knives and Skin asks, “What happened to Carolyn Harper?” Harper’s (Raven Whitley) mysterious disappearance shakes her midwestern town to the core and it’s up to Sheriff Doug Darlington (James Vincent Meredith), the father of two of Harper’s classmates, to solve the case. What follows is the unveiling of secrets that have plagued many of her acquaintances and family in this seemingly mundane town. Previewing a surreal fever dream of a movie, there’s even a...
- 11/11/2019
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
After making a splash on the film festival circuit, Jennifer Reeder’s haunting, music-infused neo-noir Knives and Skin is featured in a new trailer and official poster ahead of its theatrical and VOD release on December 6th from IFC Midnight.
Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder, Knives and Skin stars Marika Engelhardt, Grace Smith, Ireon Roach, Kayla Carter, Tim Hopper, Kate Arrington, Audrey Francis, James Vincent Meredith, Ty Olwin, Raven Whitley, Jalen Gilbert, Emma Ladji, Robert T. Cunningham, Tony Fitzpatrick, and Marilyn Dodds Frank.
"What happened to Carolyn Harper? Part suburban nightmare, part neon-soaked teenage fever dream, this tantalizing mystery traces the wave of fear and distrust that spreads across a small Midwestern town in the wake of a high school girl’s mysterious disappearance. As the loneliness and darkness lurking beneath the veneer of everyday life gradually comes to light, a collective awakening seems to overcome the town’s...
Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder, Knives and Skin stars Marika Engelhardt, Grace Smith, Ireon Roach, Kayla Carter, Tim Hopper, Kate Arrington, Audrey Francis, James Vincent Meredith, Ty Olwin, Raven Whitley, Jalen Gilbert, Emma Ladji, Robert T. Cunningham, Tony Fitzpatrick, and Marilyn Dodds Frank.
"What happened to Carolyn Harper? Part suburban nightmare, part neon-soaked teenage fever dream, this tantalizing mystery traces the wave of fear and distrust that spreads across a small Midwestern town in the wake of a high school girl’s mysterious disappearance. As the loneliness and darkness lurking beneath the veneer of everyday life gradually comes to light, a collective awakening seems to overcome the town’s...
- 11/8/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
"Can you feel that?" IFC has debuted an official trailer for an indie neo-noir titled Knives and Skin, the latest from artist / filmmaker Jennifer Reeder. This first premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, and also stopped by the Tribeca, Fantasia, FrightFest, Helsinki, and Vienna Film Festivals. Knives and Skin is a mystical teen noir that follows a young girl's disappearance in the rural Midwest and its effect on teens and parents. Described as a surreal "teen fever dream", the massive ensemble indie cast in this includes Marika Engelhardt, Grace Smith, Ireon Roach, Kayla Carter, Tim Hopper, Kate Arrington, Audrey Francis, Ty Olwin, Jalen Gilbert, Raven Whitley, Emma Ladji, James Vincent Meredith, Robert T. Cunningham, Tony Fitzpatrick, and Marilyn Dodds Frank. This seems pretty cool, but not so sure it's as unique as it claims to be. Worth a look anyway. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Jennifer...
- 11/8/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
After making a splash on the film festival circuit, Jennifer Reeder’s haunting, music-infused neo-noir Knives and Skin (which recently played at Popcorn Frights Film Festival and has a fascinating personality all its own) has been acquired by IFC Midnight, with a release planned for this December:
Press Release: IFC Midnight has acquired North American rights to Jennifer Reeder’s visionary coming-of-age thriller Knives And Skin, starring Kate Arrington, Tony Fitzpatrick, Tim Hopper, Raven Whitley (Red Line), and Ty Olwin (Personal Shopper). Knives And Skin was produced by Brian Hieggelke and Jan Hieggelke of Newcity/Chicago Film Project. The film had its World Premiere at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival and had its North American debut at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and 2019 Fantasia Film Festival. Knives And Skin will next screen at the upcoming 2019 Fantastic Fest, and the prestigious 2019 Deauville American Film Festival. IFC Midnight is planning to release the film...
Press Release: IFC Midnight has acquired North American rights to Jennifer Reeder’s visionary coming-of-age thriller Knives And Skin, starring Kate Arrington, Tony Fitzpatrick, Tim Hopper, Raven Whitley (Red Line), and Ty Olwin (Personal Shopper). Knives And Skin was produced by Brian Hieggelke and Jan Hieggelke of Newcity/Chicago Film Project. The film had its World Premiere at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival and had its North American debut at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and 2019 Fantasia Film Festival. Knives And Skin will next screen at the upcoming 2019 Fantastic Fest, and the prestigious 2019 Deauville American Film Festival. IFC Midnight is planning to release the film...
- 8/26/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Exclusive: IFC Midnight has acquired North American rights to Jennifer Reeder’s coming-of-age thriller Knives And Skin, which played at Berlin, Tribeca, and Fantasia.
The deal was negotiated by IFC Films Evp of Acquisitions and Productions Arianna Bocco and acquisitions coordinator Adam Koehler, with CAA/Gersh on behalf of the filmmakers. Next festivals for the feature will be Fantastic Fest and Deauville, ahead of IFC’s release in December, which will include a theatrical component.
Pic follows the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in a surreal rural Midwest town, led by an inexperienced local sheriff. Unusual coping techniques develop among the traumatized small-town residents, as a series of secrets are revealed. The backdrop of trauma colors quintessential rituals — dances, courtship, football games — in which the teenagers experience an accelerated loss of innocence while their parents are forced to confront adulthood failures.
Starring are Kate Arrington (Brittany Runs A...
The deal was negotiated by IFC Films Evp of Acquisitions and Productions Arianna Bocco and acquisitions coordinator Adam Koehler, with CAA/Gersh on behalf of the filmmakers. Next festivals for the feature will be Fantastic Fest and Deauville, ahead of IFC’s release in December, which will include a theatrical component.
Pic follows the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in a surreal rural Midwest town, led by an inexperienced local sheriff. Unusual coping techniques develop among the traumatized small-town residents, as a series of secrets are revealed. The backdrop of trauma colors quintessential rituals — dances, courtship, football games — in which the teenagers experience an accelerated loss of innocence while their parents are forced to confront adulthood failures.
Starring are Kate Arrington (Brittany Runs A...
- 8/26/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Girls setting their own agenda Photo: Fantasia Film Festival
Jennifer Reeder is one of those prolific directors whose work crops up in so many different contexts that, contrarily, it often goes under the radar for mainstream viewers. This year she’s made a big splash on the festival circuit with Knives And Skin, the story of what happens to the people of a small American town when teenage girl Carolyn (played by Raven Whitley) goes missing. Reading the promotional materials, I tell her, I have to admit that I felt I’d seen this film before, but watching it was an altogether different experience. We connected whilst it was showing at Fantasia and she told me why she was attracted to the idea and why it’s not what people expect.
“I have a fascination with stories about missing teens. It’s not autobiographical. I never went missing as a...
Jennifer Reeder is one of those prolific directors whose work crops up in so many different contexts that, contrarily, it often goes under the radar for mainstream viewers. This year she’s made a big splash on the festival circuit with Knives And Skin, the story of what happens to the people of a small American town when teenage girl Carolyn (played by Raven Whitley) goes missing. Reading the promotional materials, I tell her, I have to admit that I felt I’d seen this film before, but watching it was an altogether different experience. We connected whilst it was showing at Fantasia and she told me why she was attracted to the idea and why it’s not what people expect.
“I have a fascination with stories about missing teens. It’s not autobiographical. I never went missing as a...
- 7/27/2019
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Stars: Marika Engelhardt, Tim Hopper, Kate Arrington, Audrey Francis, Tony Fitzpatrick, James Vincent Meredith, Ty Olwin, Robert T. Cunningham, Alex Moss, Raven Whitley, Genevieve Venjohnson | Written and Directed by Jennifer Reeder
The disappearance of a female teenager in a small rural town in America starts an almost domino effect of problems for the people that knew her… Knives and Skin is part coming of age drama part dark thriller and it manages to feel like nothing I have seen before.
Director Jennifer Reeder definitely has a certain vision and sees it out completely, even if, for me, it fails to work almost as much as it works. Although we assume it is set in present day, it almost feels like it is set in its own little universe with the fashion, dialogue and sets there own unique thing.
I did enjoy much of the set and costume design though. The...
The disappearance of a female teenager in a small rural town in America starts an almost domino effect of problems for the people that knew her… Knives and Skin is part coming of age drama part dark thriller and it manages to feel like nothing I have seen before.
Director Jennifer Reeder definitely has a certain vision and sees it out completely, even if, for me, it fails to work almost as much as it works. Although we assume it is set in present day, it almost feels like it is set in its own little universe with the fashion, dialogue and sets there own unique thing.
I did enjoy much of the set and costume design though. The...
- 7/23/2019
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
When Laura Palmer is found dead and wrapped in plastic, her tragic end ripples throughout David Lynch’s Twin Peaks to devastating effect. An outsider in Agent Cooper enters the town to decipher the circumstances surrounding her demise with a cheery disposition that never fades—a direct contrast to the idyllic scene of nature and diner pies soon torn down as though a curtain clenched by the former homecoming queen’s hands, her final wish being the exposure of what lies beneath. It’s a dark tale layered in sin, a pervasive human evil attacking everyone within reach until even the purest of heart succumbs. Lynch paints it with a stylized, hyper-real affectation highlighting society’s desperation to survive its intrinsically pessimistic machinations, the melodrama amplified until happiness becomes rendered as fantasy.
What if this wasn’t the case, though? What if Laura’s murder was instead a sacrifice that...
What if this wasn’t the case, though? What if Laura’s murder was instead a sacrifice that...
- 7/23/2019
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Narratives surrounding disappearances, especially those of children, are becoming more and more popular. With the success of shows like Stranger Things, Sharp Objects, and Dark, it’s easy to see why. There’s some really good mystery there, which is primarily due to the investigative element that holds those shows together. However, in the case of Jennifer Reeder’s Knives and Skin, there isn’t one. What was promoted as being an investigation into the disappearance of a missing girl turns into an exploration of all the drama and secrets that lie within the film’s suburbia.
Carolyn (played by Raven Whitley) carves her initial with her thumb into a high school jock’s forehead. “With a ‘C,’” she reminds him, “now I can find you in the dark if we get separated.” The bloody initial illuminates. They were about to have sex, but she changes her mind. He leaves.
Carolyn (played by Raven Whitley) carves her initial with her thumb into a high school jock’s forehead. “With a ‘C,’” she reminds him, “now I can find you in the dark if we get separated.” The bloody initial illuminates. They were about to have sex, but she changes her mind. He leaves.
- 7/19/2019
- by Sara Clements
- DailyDead
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