Personal Shopper (2016)
Personal Shopper is a 2016 supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by Olivier Assayas. The movie stars Kristen Stewart as Maureen, a young American woman living in Paris. She works as a personal shopper for a famous celebrity, while simultaneously dealing with the grief of losing her twin brother, who passed away under mysterious circumstances. The film blends elements of suspense, the supernatural, and emotional conflict, creating an intense and thought-provoking experience for its viewers.
The story follows Maureen as she navigates the complexities of her personal and professional life. As a personal shopper, she is tasked with picking out expensive clothes and accessories for her employer. However, her job doesn’t provide her with much emotional fulfillment, and she struggles with loneliness in a foreign city. Her brother’s recent death has left her emotionally broken, and she desperately tries to maintain a connection with his spirit, believing that he is trying to communicate with her from the afterlife.
The supernatural aspect of the film becomes prominent as Maureen begins receiving strange, unexplainable messages on her phone. She believes that these messages are from her deceased brother, and they intensify her emotional journey throughout the movie. The messages add an eerie and haunting layer to the film, making the audience question whether these communications are genuinely supernatural or simply a product of Maureen’s grief-stricken mind.
As the film progresses, Maureen’s search for closure leads her down a darker path. She becomes entangled in a series of unsettling events that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. Her emotional state is fragile, and the tension builds as the mysterious occurrences become more frequent and disturbing. The film cleverly uses silence and subtle moments of suspense to heighten the sense of unease, drawing the audience into Maureen’s increasingly fragmented world.
Kristen Stewart’s performance is crucial to the success of Personal Shopper. Her portrayal of a woman struggling with loss and trying to understand the unknown is both poignant and compelling. Stewart’s ability to convey a sense of isolation and vulnerability allows the audience to connect with Maureen’s emotional journey on a deeper level. The subtlety and restraint in her performance enhance the film’s atmosphere, allowing it to resonate even more strongly.
In conclusion, Personal Shopper is a captivating and atmospheric film that explores themes of grief, communication beyond the grave, and the blurring of reality and the supernatural. Olivier Assayas combines elements of psychological horror with existential themes, creating a thought-provoking cinematic experience. Kristen Stewart’s masterful performance adds depth to the film, making it a memorable exploration of loss and the human desire for connection.