Velvet Buzzsaw Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Artsy people get haunted by paintings because they were too busy trying to sell them and not appreciating the artist’s suffering, which is a real problem in the art world, so the paintings are like, “Fine, I’ll show you suffering!” and everyone dies in increasingly bizarre ways.

🍿 Velvet Buzzsaw: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Discovery of Dease’s Art

The film begins with art critic Morf Vandewalt attending an exhibit in Miami. Josephina, an art gallery employee, discovers her neighbor, Vetril Dease, has died in his apartment. Inside, she finds a vast collection of intriguing paintings. Dease had attempted to destroy some of his work before his death, leaving behind ashes and a mystery.

Exploitation and Unexplained Deaths

Ignoring the deceased artist’s wishes, Josephina takes the paintings to her boss, Rhodora Haze, a gallery owner. They decide to exhibit and sell the work, unaware that Dease’s tormented past has imbued the art with a sinister force. Soon, people connected to the paintings begin to die in gruesome ways. The paintings appear to be enacting revenge.

The Paintings’ Revenge

As the death toll rises, Morf begins to suspect a connection between the paintings and the bizarre events. The paintings target those who exploit art for profit, fame, and personal gain. Even Morf and Rhodora, despite their initial success with Dease’s art, become victims of the supernatural force within the canvases. The film explores the consequences of valuing art solely for its monetary worth rather than its intrinsic value and emotional expression.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Morf Vandewalt (Jake Gyllenhaal): A highly influential and conflicted art critic who gets caught up in the deadly events surrounding the Dease paintings.
• Rhodora Haze (Rene Russo): An ambitious gallery owner who seeks to profit from the discovered Dease collection, leading to deadly consequences.
• Josephina (Zawe Ashton): An assistant who discovers the paintings of Vetril Dease, setting off a chain of supernatural and deadly events.
• Jon Dondon (Tom Sturridge): An artist struggling with his craft and career, who becomes entangled in the chaos surrounding the Dease paintings.
• Gretchen (Toni Collette): An art consultant who is initially excited by the financial potential of the Dease collection.
• Piers (John Malkovich): A painter struggling with creative block, sidelined by alcohol, who seeks inspiration amidst the chaos of the art world.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Morf Vandewalt: “Critique is so limiting and emotionally draining.” – Said by Morf, reflecting the superficiality and exhaustion he feels with his work as an art critic.
• Rhodora Haze: “We don’t sell paintings, we sell artists.” – Highlights the predatory nature of the art market and the focus on the artist’s persona rather than the art itself.
• Morf Vandewalt: “I’m awash in possibilities.” – Expresses his initial excitement and ambition when the Dease collection appears.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Velvet Buzzsaw Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a wild ride, and it definitely delivered on the weirdness! The art world satire was spot-on, and Jake Gyllenhaal was amazing as the pretentious art critic. Some of the death scenes were genuinely shocking, but honestly, I think the movie was trying to say something about art, commerce, and maybe even karma. The end message to just create art for yourself really hit home. It’s not a perfect movie, but definitely memorable!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of satirical thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in the art world”
  • “Those who enjoy films with a touch of horror and dark humor”
  • “Jake Gyllenhaal fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Velvet Buzzsaw is stylish and visually arresting, but it struggles to balance its satirical edge with genuine horror. Gyllenhaal shines as the narcissistic Morf, but the film ultimately feels like a collection of interesting ideas that don’t quite coalesce into a satisfying whole. The commentary on the art world is sharp, but the scares are often more silly than chilling.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While boasting a strong cast and visually striking presentation, Velvet Buzzsaw feels tonally inconsistent. The horror elements often clash with the satirical undertones, resulting in a film that is neither truly scary nor laugh-out-loud funny. Despite Gyllenhaal’s committed performance, the story ultimately lacks depth and resonance.

Audience Reactions

Many loved Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as the flamboyant art critic, calling it captivating and hilarious.: Most viewers agree that the film provides a unique and interesting perspective on the art world, albeit a bizarre one.

Overall Consensus: Velvet Buzzsaw is a divisive film, praised for its originality and cast but criticized for its uneven tone and lack of narrative cohesion. Viewers who appreciate dark humor and art world satire may find it enjoyable, while others may find it pretentious and unsatisfying.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is a satire of the contemporary art world, exploring themes of commercialism, artistic integrity, and the price of success.”
• “Dan Gilroy, the writer and director, also edited the film himself.”
• “The movie loosely resembles the life of Henry Darger, a recluse who created a vast body of art and spent time in an asylum.”
• “Several of the actors had to immerse themselves in the world of art, visiting galleries and studying the mannerisms of art critics and collectors to prepare for their roles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Velvet Buzzsaw?

Velvet Buzzsaw is a Netflix original movie and is available exclusively on the Netflix streaming platform. At this time, there are no options to rent or purchase the film on other platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Velvet Buzzsaw, you might like these similar films:

• Nightcrawler (2014): Also directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, explores the dark side of ambition and the exploitation of tragedy for personal gain.
• American Psycho (2000): A satirical look at the excesses and superficiality of wealth and status, with a dark, violent edge.
• Suspiria (1977): A surreal, artistic horror film with a focus on visuals and atmosphere, exploring dark themes within an art-related setting (dance academy).
• Ready or Not (2019): A modern horror film where wealth leads to people killing each other to get what they want.

🛒 Velvet Buzzsaw Related Products

• Velvet Buzzsaw Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the film’s iconic poster, perfect for fans of the movie’s unique aesthetic and dark humor. Features the striking imagery and title treatment.
• Jake Gyllenhaal Film Collection (Blu-ray): A Blu-ray collection featuring some of Jake Gyllenhaal’s most acclaimed performances, including Nightcrawler and Velvet Buzzsaw. Experience his range and talent in these thought-provoking films.
• Art Gallery Tycoon – Business Simulation Game: Build and manage your own virtual art gallery. Discover new artists, curate exhibits, and navigate the challenges of the art market. A business simulation game that explores the themes of art, commerce, and creativity.
• Art Theory for Dummies: An accessible guide to understanding art theory and criticism, perfect for those who want to delve deeper into the themes explored in Velvet Buzzsaw. Learn about different art movements and the language of art criticism.

🎧 Soundtrack

Velvet Buzzsaw features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Floating Ships” – performed by Les Gordon feat. Aces

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Quickie: Velvet Buzzsaw

Want a quick take on Velvet Buzzsaw? YMS gives his thoughts in just 5 minutes. It’s pretty funny and might make you see the movie in a whole new light.

Velvet Buzzsaw – Let Me Explain

Confused by the ending of Velvet Buzzsaw? “Let Me Explain” breaks down the art world satire and supernatural horror in a way that actually makes sense. Honestly, I finally get what it was trying to say after watching this!

Jake Gyllenhaal & ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ Cast Talk Art Commercialization

Ever wonder what the cast of Velvet Buzzsaw *really* thought about the movie’s message? This interview dives into the art world satire with Jake Gyllenhaal and the crew. It’s fascinating to hear their takes on art and money!

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