by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Why do we watch films that center on horrible people? There is something compelling and impactful about seeing the darkest elements of life play out. Generally, audiences hope to feel a connection with their protagonists so that they understand their journey. But the challenging thing that film can do is push audiences into uncomfortable situations with characters who embody the darkest sides of humanity. There Will Be Blood… American Psycho… Joker… Fight Club. These films have all accomplished such a feat. Now we have writer-director Tony Stone, who takes audiences into the life of The Unabomber himself, Ted Kaczynski.
What is so haunting about the experience that Ted K offers? Stone creates one of the most unnerving experiences on film so far this year. The way the camera moves in a voyeuristic manner is creepy. It frames stillness in a way that force the audience to stare down some uncomfortable moments. The grit of the footage makes for an atmosphere that feels like found footage or documentary (making for an uncomfortable experience due to how real this story actually is). The camera is almost always with Ted as we are forced to listen to his narrative along the way.
What is Stone able to accomplish with his screenplay? The voiceover is a strange feeling of having a bug in your head spouting dark and disturbing thoughts. The craziest thing? Some of them make sense. The fear of technology and what it will do to humanity is a valid one. Our society is struggling with this ever-growing reliance on computers. The places Ted takes them is where the story pushes the audience beyond our bounds of connection. This film is just a deep dive into this mind and psychosis of a trouble being who took these thoughts to violent and horrifying places. The film shows his hallucinations of a woman he can never connect with. But there are certainly moments in this two-hour film that feel awkward and unnecessary. With such a disturbing and unnerving central character, it is hard to believe that this film becomes boring… but it does achieve that unfortunately.
But what about the actor who brings this controversial and dangerous individual to life? Sharlto Copley makes this film come to life. Copley has shown in plenty of films that he can embody strange and sometimes dangerous individuals. The voiceover discussed earlier feels committed and impactful thanks to the efforts of Copley. You see moments of this socially alienated man trying to attempt human connection — it fails, but Copley never falters in his portrayal of this man struggling on the frayed edges of humanity. There is something like human in Copley’s portrayal, but there is something darker and alienating about his presence as well.
But does this film avoid the biggest pitfall of all? How do you put a spotlight on the dark recesses of such a person’s mind without making them sympathetic? We do not want to connect with such a character and for the most part, Stone is able to keep the audience at an emotional distance while still helping them see who this man is. There is something darkly disturbing and unnerving about this journey while telling the story of one of America’s most violent criminals. Ted K delivers a dark and engrossing thriller that mostly works.
Grade: B-
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