For many, Megan Fox’s return to horror was a welcome one. Despite its modest performance at the box office, Jennifers Body has went on to gain cult status, with many praising the feature from 2009 for its feminist themes. Her return to genre comes from director S K Dale’s ‘Till Death’, and fans of Jennifer will be pleased to know the feature tackles similar issues – albeit with a stylishly more sombre tone.
Following a tense anniversary dinner, Emma (Fox) awakens to find herself handcuffed to her despondent spouse. Given the context, you’d be forgiven for thinking some light bondage is on the cards following a romantic evening – but things quickly take a sharp swerve as husband Mark (Eoin Macken) puts a gun to his temple – gruesomely splattering his new widow. Despite their vows of ‘till death fo us part’, Emma finds that separation is not quite so simple.
From Emma’s red soled Louboutins to the carefully scattered rose petals, the scarlet reds bring glamour to the genre. Even the blood that stains Fox’s pale face looking striking and chic against her dark tresses.
Whilst stylishly chic, the feature does have some substance – our protagonist’s struggle a clear metaphor of her journey to escape an abusive relationship. From the remote cabin to disconnecting the phones, Mark has taken extreme lengths to isolate his bride. No stranger to his controlling behaviour, Emma appears coolly accepting and begins to use what is in her arsenal to get out – both literally and figuratively.
The imagery is a little overt, from Emma dragging her husbands dead weight on her wedding dress to resourcefully fashioning slippers from the remaining rags of her dress, but it’s somewhat heartwarming to see a woman finding strength in her trauma.
Having briefly explored the relationship in the first act, the audience learns that the couple met when Mark represented Emma after a harrowing and violent incident. It is clear he exploited her vulnerability, his subsequent controlling behaviour all too familiar to those who have experienced such abuse. Worn down, we see Emma offer advice to a young, newly engaged woman – as she herself wears the necklace gifted to her from her husband – in actuality more a collar of ownership.
Given the weight of the themes involved in the film I do wish it delved a little deeper. However, overall Till Death is a visually stunning piece that champions a strong female lead in an empowering role.
(Till Death is currently available to watch on Netflix UK)
