Why ‘Red Rooms’ Is the Must-Watch Horror Film Everyone Is Talking About!

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In a world that seems increasingly like a real-life version of the “Purge” series, not everyone may enjoy the horror genre. However, for those who seek relief from their actual fears through fictional ones, a new Canadian-French release might be exactly what they’re looking for. This high-tension psychological thriller has almost a perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is now available to stream on Shudder.

Initially, the storyline of “Red Rooms” (originally titled “Les chambes rouges”) appears reminiscent of an episode from “Criminal Minds”: it involves courtroom drama, a sinister serial killer, and a classic whodunit element. However, delving deeper into the narrative, we find that the main character, Kelly-Anne, a wealthy supermodel with a penchant for coding and a peculiar interest in criminal trials, is not as straightforward as she seems. As the story progresses, Kelly-Anne’s fascination with the macabre leads her to make increasingly questionable decisions, blurring the lines between her role as the protagonist and something more complex. Kelly-Anne frequently attends the court hearings of Ludovic Chevalier, a suspected serial killer, where she befriends one of his ardent defendants, the enigmatic Clementine, who seems to live in poverty.

The two ladies find common ground discussing their intense fascination with Chevalier’s grim trial and its tragic outcome. While Clementine manages to preserve a modicum of composure, Kelly-Anne’s mental condition deteriorates rapidly. The main evidence in the case consists of two snuff films depicting the grisly deaths of some of Chevalier’s alleged victims. However, the possibility of a third victim and an accompanying third film sends Kelly-Anne on an online quest. As she inches closer to unraveling this mystery, the cost of her fixation appears to escalate dramatically.

Under the direction of Pascal Plante, the movie titled “Red Rooms” made its debut at the 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July 2023. It later hit U.S. screens in September 2024. The film is spoken in French with English subtitles and features Juliette Gariepy as Kelly-Anne, Laurie Babin as Clementine, and Maxwell McCabe Lokos as Ludovic Chevalier in the lead roles.

Red Rooms Speaks to a Growing Obsession With True Crime

Red Rooms quickly gained popularity in North America due to its distinctive red undertones, panopticon motif, and intricate narrative structure. However, the show’s success can also be credited to a growing fascination in the post-Internet era: an intense interest in true crime and a propensity for parasocial relationships. Characters like Kelly-Anne and Clementine vividly portray these tendencies as their obsessions increasingly distort their perception of reality, causing them to act in harmful or questionable ways. For instance, Clementine becomes destitute, sleeping on the streets, due to her eagerness to witness Chevalier’s court trial, while Kelly-Anne’s fanaticism drives her deeper into darkness when she attends a court hearing dressed as one of Chevalier’s victims.

Today, our fixation on spectacle and notoriety is strikingly evident, as true-crime podcasts and TV shows proliferate, offering a glimpse into someone’s life through the lens of a camera. Author Plante draws a parallel between these extreme behaviors and addiction, and it’s clear that Kelly-Anne fits this description perfectly. When mere consumption isn’t enough to satisfy her cravings, she transforms from a passive observer to an active participant, delving into the core of criminal trials or indulging in other harmful activities. While not every true-crime enthusiast follows this path, it serves as a cautionary tale for those who find themselves excessively attracted to tragedy and public display.

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2025-01-16 18:01