The subject of hate crime needs to be handled sensitively.
We saw with IT Chapter 2, that queer hate crimes on-screen can be quite harrowing to watch. Femme, doesn’t quite go as vivid as the demise of Adrian Mellon, but it has a psychological edge all its own.
We open with Jules, who performs as a drag act at a local club, who is accosted on his way home by Preston, and his gang of thugs.
Three months pass and Jules becomes a recluse because of the attack, but a snap decision to visit a local queer sauna, he shockingly encounters Preston.
A relationship develops between the two, with both having different motives. Jules is secretly plotting his revenge whereas Preston may be falling for his former victim; but does he remember him?
George Mackay’s performance as Preston is certainly a different coat of paint, as the impulsive and savage cat, who could strike at any time. He lashes out against his own sexuality, but can’t resist Jules and perhaps other men in the past.
Jules meanwhile uses the harrowing experience to gain an edge over his former opressor, but do the lines become blurry for both?
Femme is an intense watch, with plenty of moments where Preston almost gets rumbled, and we just wonder what will happen if he outs himself with his secret desires. He flaunts his money and status, but having served time for an unnamed offence, will Jules go to deep just to get his own back.
This is one of the best thrillers of recent years, demanding multiple rewatches.
Femme is available now on Blu-Ray and DVD.
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