Lucky McKee’s The Woman is a visceral, unflinching exploration of power, nature, and the corrupting influence of civilization. Based on Jack Ketchum’s novel, the film is a brutal and often disturbing portrait of human depravity, masked as a tale of domestic horror.
At its core, The Woman is a battle of wills between two opposing forces: the civilized and the primal. On one side is Chris Cleek, a seemingly ordinary man, trapped in a life of suburban monotony. On the other is the eponymous Woman, a feral creature captured from the woods and imprisoned in the Cleek family’s basement. McKee’s film is a relentless examination of the thin veneer of civility that separates humans from their animalistic instincts.
Pollyanna McIntosh’s performance as The Woman is nothing short of iconic. Her portrayal of a creature stripped of language and societal norms is both terrifying and pitiable. She becomes a symbol of nature's indomitable spirit, a force that refuses to be tamed. In contrast, Sean Bridgers delivers a chilling performance as Chris Cleek, a man whose veneer of respectability slowly cracks under the pressure of his captive.
The film is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with graphic violence and disturbing imagery. However, it is important to recognize that these elements are not gratuitous. They serve a purpose, reflecting the brutal nature of the story being told. McKee’s direction is uncompromising, and his refusal to shy away from the harsh realities of the narrative is both commendable and controversial.
The Woman is a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It is a powerful indictment of societal norms, particularly those related to gender and power. By juxtaposing the civilized world of the Cleek family with the raw, untamed spirit of The Woman, McKee forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them.
While the film’s ending is open to interpretation, one thing is clear: The Woman is a survivor. She is a symbol of resistance against oppression and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
The Woman is a complex and challenging film that rewards careful consideration. It is a film that demands to be seen, and it is a film that will stick around in the back of your mind for days if not weeks, a rare feat in our disposable entertainment landscape.
Lucky McKee’s Offspring is a raw, visceral plunge into the heart of darkness. A prequel to his more celebrated The Woman, this film delves deeper into the origins of the feral family at the core of the franchise. While it shares the same unflinching brutality as its successor, Offspring is a more straightforward horror film, emphasizing gore and suspense over psychological exploration.
The narrative follows a group of feral individuals, led by a matriarchal figure, as they navigate a harsh, unforgiving wilderness. Their existence is one of primal instinct, survival, and violence. The film's opening sequence, a brutal and unflinching depiction of childbirth in the wild, sets the tone for the unrelenting intensity that follows. McKee doesn't shy away from the graphic, and the film's uncompromising nature is both shocking and captivating.
While Offspring lacks the complex character study of The Woman, it compensates with a relentless pace and a relentless focus on survival horror. The film’s atmosphere is oppressive, and the desolate, wintry setting adds to the sense of isolation and despair. The feral family is presented as both terrifying and pitiable, victims of circumstance as much as predators.
However, the film's reliance on shock value can be overwhelming at times. The violence, while undeniably effective, can feel excessive and gratuitous. The characters, beyond their primal instincts, are underdeveloped, leaving the audience with little to connect with. The plot is straightforward, lacking the thematic depth and psychological complexity of its sequel.
Despite its flaws, Offspring is undeniably a powerful and disturbing film. It is a bleak vision of humanity stripped of its civilized veneer, revealing the raw, animalistic nature that lies beneath. While it may not reach the same heights as The Woman, it is a worthy companion piece that offers a glimpse into the origins of this haunting world.
Offspring is a film that demands a strong stomach. It is a brutal, uncompromising exploration of human nature, devoid of sentimentality or redemption. For those who can stomach the violence, it offers a visceral and unforgettable experience.
To say this Arrow release is stacked with Bonus Materials is an understatement
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- 4K restorations of The Woman and Offspring, supervised and approved by Lucky McKee and Andrew van den Houten
- Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork for both films by Vanessa McKee
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing by Michael Blyth, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Kevin Kovelant
- 4K restoration supervised and approved by Lucky McKee
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Lucky McKee, editor Zach Passero, sound designer Andrew Smetek and composer Sean Spillane
- Audio commentary with star Pollyanna McIntosh
- Audio commentary with critic Scott Weinberg
- Archive commentary with director Lucky McKee
- Dad on the Wall, a 75-minute fly-on-the-wall behind-the-scenes documentary filmed by the director’s father Mike McKee
- Being Peggy Cleek, an interview with star Lauren Ashley Carter
- Malam Domesticam, an archive making-of featurette
- Meet the Makers, a short featurette on the making of the film
- Deleted scenes
- ¡Mi Burro!, a short film by editor Zach Passero
- “Distracted” music video by Sean Spillane
- Frightfest Total Film Panel Discussion, a 2011 onstage chat about the future of American indie horror at the popular horror film festival, featuring Lucky McKee, Andrew van den Houten, Larry Fessenden, Adam Green, Joe Lynch and Ti West
- Theatrical trailers
- Image galleries
- 4K restoration supervised and approved by Andrew van den Houten
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director/producer Andrew van den Houten and digital colorist Matt McClain
- Archive commentary with writer Jack Ketchum, director/producer Andrew van den Houten and producer/cinematographer William M. Miller
- Interview with Pollyanna McIntosh and Andrew van den Houten
- Fly on the Wall, a behind-the-scenes documentary
- Extended interview with Jack Ketchum
- Restoration comparison
- Audition comparison
- Progeny: The Birth of Offspring, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette including interviews with cast and crew
- First Stolen’s Bailout, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette
- Webisodes, short featurettes used to promote the film online
- Archive Easter Eggs
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery