Red Rooms (film review) S2E9 Cade and Kit

A high-IQ fashion model living in a downtown Montreal high-rise becomes disturbingly obsessed with a local murder trial involving a potential serial killer. As the court case unfolds, she’s not on the jury—just an observer—but her fixation deepens until she begins navigating the dark web in search of a rumored third “red room” video: a brutal murder-for-pay livestream that might confirm the accused killer’s guilt.🎥 We follow her increasingly erratic behavior, from alleyway overnights outside the courthouse to Bitcoin bidding wars on encrypted servers. Her motivations remain murky. Her methods are unsettling. And her descent into the digital underworld comes with zero explanation.🎥 The FormatThis is high-art-meets-slow-burn courtroom noir. French language. Stark cinematography. Minimal score. Nearly two hours of silence, smooth tracking shots, and deeply ambiguous character work.✅ French-Canadian courtroom✅ Fashion meets forensic obsession✅ Dark web red room bidding✅ Woman-on-the-verge pacing✅ What Makes It Work​Lead performance: The actress playing Kelly-Anne carries every close-up with unnerving restraint. No dialogue, just haunted microexpressions.​Use of tech themes: AI assistants, Bitcoin transactions, and deep web culture are woven into the story in ways that feel strangely grounded.​Art direction: Cold color palette, clean lines, elegant production choices that mirror the lead’s inner disconnection.⚠️ What Doesn’t Land​Zero character backstory: We never learn why she’s obsessed. It’s not trauma, grief, or justice. It’s just... there.​Major plot holes: She disappears into alleyways, randomly destroys her AI, infiltrates the dark web like a pro, and the van parked outside? Never explained.​Pacing: 118 minutes of slow zooms and smoothie preparation. The entire first hour could’ve been 10 minutes.​Emotional flatline: The story is isolated, sterile, and emotionless—even when portraying violent crimes. There’s no attachment, no stakes, no catharsis.💸 Should It Have a Bigger Budget?No. The visuals and tone matched the story’s minimalist, psychological intent. But a bigger budget wouldn’t solve its fundamental problem: it’s all atmosphere, no heartbeat.🎯 The VerdictCade: 5.0Kit: 1.0“We paid $7 for this and took a nap. That’s our review.”This one’s more arthouse than horror. It belongs in a gallery with headphones—not a genre list. Strong performances can’t save a story with no emotional spine.📺 Where to WatchStreaming rental on Amazon Prime Video.🍿 Pair This Movie With...​Snack: Unseasoned almonds in a highball glass​Drink: Still water, served cold​Activity: Taking a 40-minute nap and pretending you didn’t miss anything (because you didn’t)🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2kaH2BpUcEouX5LWCUQ7ed?si=ff1e2b355c5944e1🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cade-and-kit/id1771553610📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/cadeandkithttps://[email protected]