Directed By: Steven R. Monroe
Written By: Neil Elman & Thomas Fenton
Cinematography By: Damian Bromley
Editor: Kristina Hamilton-Grobler
Cast: Jemma Dallender, Yavor Baharov, Joe Absolom, Mary Stockley, Aleksander Aleksiev
Katie is trying to make it in the cutthroat world of modeling. When she innocently accepts an offer to have new photos taken for her portfolio, the experience quickly turns into an unthinkable nightmare of rape, torture, and kidnapping. When a twist of fate finally frees her from her captors - beaten, battered, bruised, and broken, she will have to tap into the darkest places of the human psyche to not only survive her ordeal, but to ultimately find the strength to exact her brutal revenge.
I am sure the first film made a bunch of money, but was a sequel really needed.
It is telling that the first films director was available to make his film. Maybe this is his planned series of films. I hope not
This film pretty much retreads the first films plot only making it more global and urbanized. As the story seems to be inspired by urban legends and warnings for struggling entertainers as a worst case scenario.
Not a direct sequel as no characters from the first film return, but more of the same that happens in a different landscape and country. It has a new victim and new villains
The truly disturbing thing about this film is not that the revenge violence when it is doled out feels just and over the top while also feeling weak as far as creatively. It's just that understanding you need to show what the depravity the female lead goes through. Though while the first film focused on the violence over being gratuitous when it came to the sexual assaults. Here the film seems more interested In showcasing the depravity of the sexual attacks and making sure we witness the act each time.
This film is both a feminist nightmare as most of the characters are misogynistic. Those who aren't are minor or are killed. Though it has the graphic revenge which does make her an avenger against the human sex slave market.
It sticks to the formula of having the victim raped and brutalized repeatedly an somehow surviving it all to take revenge. Though it is lacking in original ways for her to torture and get her revenge.
These films walk a fine line between total exploitation at the lowest level and empowering revenge vilgilante tales. Though never in any of the films do they ever weigh the thoughts I moving on or forgiveness they make are the villains are just so evil there is no choice. The world would be better of without them.
The only difference here is that they add a female to the gallery of villains. Still taking villains down on their own turf. I am guessing the filmmakers wanted the audience to be in her shoes or a witness to want revenge as much as she does. I also believe it seems to be filmed more gratuitously and sensationalistic. Which gives off an energy and mood that feels displaced and disturbing though more in the way the director would like.
It also helps to take the attention away from the rather Thin and simplistic plot
Grade: F
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