Exploring the Dark Depths of Deadly Virtues
Presenting a gripping story of a couple under immense strain, Deadly Virtues: Love.Honour.Obey. explores the duo’s life when a stranger enters their home. Strapping the husband, the man takes the wife on a game of struggle and closeness, as he unveils evil intentions. It is an intense drama wherein psychological as well as physical combat occurs – the viewers can never guess what people’s intentions are or what will happen next. The overall mood of the series is highly grim and psychological, which can make viewers rather hesitant to watch eagerly. The association of the sexual harassment aspect to violence and fear builds a provocative yet engaging story. Themes of domination and submission are traced in detail and that is why the movie is not only a thriller but a psychoanalytic drama. Edward Akrout gives a haunting performance for the menacing criminal, or rather calculating psychopath, controlled exterior hiding a twister. Megan Maczko plays the main female part and, with her help, directors succeed in revealing the aspects of both weakness and strength in the plot. The chemistry between Akrout and Maczko is impeccable and essential to sustain the twists and turns of the film’s plot as they are the leading characters. Jong keeps an absolute control of the pacing and suspense of the direction, to allow the audience to have its complete attention all the time. His tendency to draw commendable performances from the stars is one of the director’s best qualities. De Jong manages the narrative section like a conductor and passes the elements of shock and intense scenes.
I would also note the intensiveness of the strains which accompanied the film, along with rather laconic notes that underlined the further drama. Music complements the feeling of being trapped and accompanies the suspense and helps to become an additional character that drives the viewers deep into the story. It enhances the mood without overwhelming the visuals and the story, nor understating them.
The director of photography makes sure that every shot achieves the creepy atmosphere the film was going for. Blow-up is also used for a psychological analysis of the characters, while framing changes the film into the dense portrayal of fear and control, which is reflected through the effects of lights and shadows. The tight frame used in the shooting makes it extremely realistic allowing the viewers to be constructively placed in the life of the characters.
The setting enhances the story being shot in the couple’s home although the entire environment becomes a playground of psychological warfare. Using space and placing of props, especially in the kitchen emphasizes the theme of confinement and making tension. It is here implemented in such a way as to depict the characters’ emotional conditions and growing tension during the conversations.
As for technical aspects, they are relatively low in Deadly Virtues where practical effects are predominantly used to maintain realism. This aids in creating more realistic feel for the audience since the show does not shy away from portraying the dangers of the world.
The fast pacing does not resolve into confusion, instead it builds suspense throughout the scenes impressively. They are paced with great care and attention to the con traiängle of power between the two groups of captors and prisoners. The narrative of the film is rhythmic with occasional bursts of scenes of increasing suspense suitable for creating a suspenseful atmosphere followed by languid sequences. This fluctuation between activity and inactivity can be directly linked to the events in the protagonist’s head. Slow and steady is the film’s tempo, and the suspense never wanes throughout the whole movie. Crepuscular dialogues are filled with tension and little by little, important aspects of each of the characters are drawn out into the open, without being melodramatic. The text is solid and naturalistic, while enhancing its psychological attributes for the benefit of the film.
Though, in Deadly Virtues eroticism is edging its themes too much at moments, which may distract some viewers from the action. The constant build up of psychological tension along with little attempts to build exposition could leave some gaps that appear to be poorly explained. Nonetheless, the cast and the director ability to make this film interesting enough helps it not to sink. It is good at creating tension while developing the subject of human relationships as the main theme. Successfully in those aspects of direction, acting, and constructing suspense the film provides the viewer with rather a long-lasting aftertaste.
