If I advised you to avoid the French preview for Alex Ross Perry‘s new film, Queen of Earth, it only follows that I’d say the same about an official U.S. trailer. But while no less revealing and now with a bizarre bit of voiceover that mis-sells it as some sort of exploitation / grindhouse picture — “FROM ALEX ROSS PERRY…” — it’s a good reminder of the strengths of the writer-director’s fourth feature, as well as an effective showcase for Elisabeth Moss‘s can’t-overstate-how-strong-it-is performance.
Remain patient, for IFC are wisely putting it in theaters and iTunes simultaneously at the end of next month. In the meantime, look at our A-grade review from Berlin that compares it to The Shining and Repulsion: “[With] the main characters of Queen of Earth, Perry has managed to concoct two even more insufferable personalities. That’s not to say Queen of Earth is a bad film – on the contrary, it’s Perry’s most impeccably constructed and executed yet – but it does take a certain measure of masochism to want to be locked up in this searing chamber drama for 90 minutes.”
Watch the trailer (via Apple):
Synopsis:
Elisabeth Moss delivers a fearless performance in this tour-de-force portrait of psychological breakdown. In her second collaboration with acclaimed director Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip), she stars as Catherine, a woman careening towards emotional collapse after a one-two punch of heartbreaking events. Seeking peace and solitude, she heads to the secluded lakehouse of her best friend, Virginia (Inherent Vice’s Katherine Waterston). But their quiet country retreat becomes a journey into steadily mounting hysteria as past and present collide and the love-hate relationship between the two women threatens to tear them apart. Driven by Moss’ unforgettable performance, this darkly funny psychological thriller immerses viewers in the shattered mind of a woman on the edge.
Queen of Earth will open in theaters and hit iTunes on August 26.