Repulsion Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman hates her sister’s boyfriend so much that she warps reality and becomes a homicidal maniac while dealing with severe apartment maintenance issues.

🍿 Repulsion: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Carol and Her World

Carol Ledoux, a young and beautiful Belgian manicurist living in London with her sister Helen, is visibly uncomfortable in her surroundings. She is particularly disturbed by Helen’s relationship with her married lover, Michael. Carol’s discomfort is evident in her aversion to their shared living space and the sounds of their intimacy, hinting at a deeper, unaddressed trauma.

The Trigger: Helen’s Departure

When Helen and Michael leave for a vacation in Italy, Carol is left alone in their apartment. This isolation acts as a catalyst for her mental deterioration. With no external anchors, her anxieties intensify. She becomes increasingly detached from reality, losing her grip on time and space. The apartment, initially a source of discomfort, now becomes a breeding ground for her hallucinations.

Descent into Madness

As Carol’s isolation deepens, she begins to experience vivid and disturbing hallucinations. Cracks appear on the walls of the apartment, symbolizing the fracturing of her psyche. She envisions hands reaching out to her, representing her fear of male intrusion and sexual violation. These experiences push her further into a state of paranoia and terror, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

Violence and Isolation

Consumed by her escalating mental state, Carol lashes out. Colin, a persistent admirer who forces his way into the apartment, becomes a victim of her growing madness. The landlord, attempting to collect rent, is also met with violence. These acts underscore Carol’s complete detachment from reality and the destructive power of her unaddressed trauma.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Carol Ledoux (Catherine Deneuve): A withdrawn and sexually repressed manicurist whose increasing isolation leads to a terrifying descent into madness and violence.
• Helen Ledoux (Yvonne Furneaux): Carol’s worldly sister whose relationship exacerbates Carol’s mental state and ultimately leads to tragic consequences.
• Michael (Ian Hendry): Helen’s married lover whose presence and actions trigger Carol’s repulsion and contribute to her deteriorating mental state.
• Colin (John Fraser): Carol’s infatuated suitor whose unwanted advances and persistence ultimately lead to a deadly encounter.
• Landlord (Patrick Wymark): A sleazy landlord who meets a violent end after misinterpreting Carol’s vulnerability as a sexual invitation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Carol: “We must get this crack mended.” – Carol says this repeatedly, highlighting her obsessive nature and the growing instability around her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $300,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $33,174

💥 Repulsion Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Repulsion’ messed with my head! Catherine Deneuve’s performance is absolutely haunting. The way the apartment slowly decays along with her sanity is just genius filmmaking. I found myself squirming in my seat during the intense scenes, especially the hallway sequences. It’s not a fun watch, but it’s definitely a movie that sticks with you long after it’s over. This is one I’ll be thinking about for a while.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological horror”
  • “Viewers interested in arthouse cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate character studies of mental breakdown”
  • “Admirers of Roman Polanski’s filmography”
  • “Viewers who enjoy Catherine Deneuve’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Disturbing themes of sexual repression”
  • “Violence”
  • “Hallucinations”
  • “Mental illness”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief depiction of attempted sexual assault”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Polanski masterfully crafts an atmosphere of unease, showing a young woman’s descent into madness with haunting visuals and Deneuve’s compelling performance. The film explores themes of isolation and repressed sexuality, leaving a lasting impact. While disturbing, it’s a significant work in psychological horror.
• Sight & Sound: “Repulsion is a chilling exploration of mental breakdown, using the claustrophobic setting of an apartment to amplify Carol’s paranoia. Polanski’s direction and Deneuve’s portrayal create a deeply unsettling viewing experience, solidifying its place as a classic of the genre.
• AllMovie: “A disturbing and powerful film, Repulsion showcases Polanski’s skill in creating a psychologically tense atmosphere. Catherine Deneuve’s performance is mesmerizing as she portrays a woman’s descent into madness. It remains a thought-provoking and unsettling viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

Catherine Deneuve’s performance is unforgettable, capturing the essence of mental disintegration.: Viewers often praise the film’s unsettling atmosphere and Deneuve’s captivating portrayal of a woman’s descent into madness.

The film’s visuals and sound design create a truly immersive and disturbing experience.: Many viewers highlight the film’s effective use of sound and visuals to enhance the psychological horror.

Overall Consensus: Repulsion is a disturbing and unforgettable film that explores themes of isolation and mental breakdown, elevated by Catherine Deneuve’s captivating performance and Polanski’s masterful direction.

Awards

1. Silver Bear (Extraordinary Jury Prize)- 1965

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Roman Polanski co-wrote the script with Gérard Brach, drawing inspiration from their own anxieties and experiences.”
• “To create a sense of unease, Polanski used jarring sound effects and unconventional camera angles, pushing the boundaries of filmmaking at the time.”
• “Catherine Deneuve’s performance was largely understated, relying on facial expressions and body language to convey Carol’s inner turmoil, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.”
• “The cracking walls and reaching hands were achieved through practical effects, enhancing the film’s surreal and nightmarish quality.”

🖥️ How to Watch Repulsion?

Repulsion is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential broadcast options. While it’s not typically included in standard streaming subscriptions, keep an eye on platforms like Criterion Channel and Shudder, which occasionally feature classic horror and arthouse films.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Repulsion, you might like these similar films:

• Psycho (1960): Explores the psychological breakdown of an individual and features shocking acts of violence, albeit with a different underlying cause.
• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Also directed by Roman Polanski, it creates a similar sense of claustrophobia and paranoia as a woman becomes increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
• Black Swan (2010): A modern film that delves into the psychological disintegration of a woman under pressure, featuring surreal and disturbing imagery.
• The Tenant (1976): Another Polanski film which deals with themes of paranoia, isolation and psychological breakdown within the confines of an apartment

🛒 Repulsion Related Products

• Repulsion (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine, high-definition Blu-ray edition of Repulsion from The Criterion Collection, featuring restored image and sound, offering the best possible viewing experience and insightful bonus features.
• Repulsion Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the Repulsion movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your appreciation for classic psychological horror.
• Roman Polanski: A Biography: Explore the life and career of Roman Polanski, including the making of Repulsion, through this comprehensive biography.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Seduzione Al Buio” – performed by John Scott and Chico Hamilton

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Repulsion (1965) | Documentary Short – Interview w/ Dir. Roman Polanski – Ian Hendry

Ever wondered what Roman Polanski was thinking while making ‘Repulsion’? This short documentary features an interview with him and Ian Hendry! It’s fascinating to hear their perspectives on the film’s themes and creation – definitely worth a watch.

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