Movie of the Day: Electra (2024) by Hala Matar
- dailyentertainment95
- May 4
- 5 min read
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/electra-2025 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/electra-2025 (Canada)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22375408/
About movie: https://www.level33entertainment.com/
“Electra” (2024) by Hala Matar: A Glamorous Masquerade of Obsession and Deceit “Electra,” the debut feature from Hala Matar, is a visually seductive psychological thriller that pulls viewers into a world of hidden identities, emotional manipulation, and artistic illusion. Set in the opulent countryside of Italy, the film seduces as much as it unnerves, crafting a tangled tale of ambition and obsession behind beautiful masks.
About the Movie (Detailed Summary)
Electra follows Dylan and Lucy, an American couple traveling to Italy under false pretenses: Dylan is posing as a journalist and Lucy as his photographer. Their target is Milo, a brooding British rock star living with his flamboyant partner Francesca, a performance artist. As they are invited to spend the weekend at the couple's countryside estate, tension simmers beneath the glamor. A painting called Electra becomes the symbolic and literal centerpiece of the unfolding drama, as identities blur, motives are questioned, and emotional manipulation gives way to psychological warfare.
Plot Summary
Dylan and Lucy travel to Italy under fabricated identities to gain access to Milo for an interview. At his lavish estate, they meet Francesca, a mesmerizing and controlling artist. The weekend spirals into a charged power play as Milo’s vulnerability, Francesca’s dominance, and Dylan and Lucy’s deceit unravel into a climax of truth, betrayal, and self-revelation. The mysterious painting “Electra” is both a plot device and a metaphor for the characters’ projected personas.
Director’s Vision
Hala Matar, making her narrative feature debut, envisioned Electra as a bold reimagining of myth and modern social masquerade. With a background in fashion and music videos, Matar brings striking visual stylization, favoring non-linear storytelling and atmospheric design. Inspired by Greek tragedy, particularly the Electra complex, she creates a world where performance and identity are both armor and prison.
Themes
Masquerade & Identity The characters adopt roles and facades—mirroring the artistic and psychological concept of the “mask”—to manipulate or protect themselves.
Desire vs. Power Emotional and sexual desires are entangled with power dynamics, especially in the toxic but captivating relationship between Milo and Francesca.
Art as Control The titular painting represents obsession and control. It is both a literal object of desire and a symbol of the characters’ need to possess and define one another.
Fame and Voyeurism Milo’s celebrity becomes a lens for exploring the ethics of storytelling, exploitation, and intrusion under the guise of admiration or journalism.
Key Success Factors
Strong Performances Maria Bakalova’s complex portrayal of Francesca anchors the film, with notable tension built through chemistry and delivery across the ensemble.
Visual Storytelling Set in a Renaissance castle, the film’s visuals—from art direction to fashion—create a lush, claustrophobic world that contrasts with the characters’ emotional erosion.
Thematic Layering Drawing from Greek mythology, art history, and psychological thrillers, Electra manages to feel literary without losing pace or cinematic style.
Summary Short
A darkly glamorous psychodrama, “Electra” is a twisted tale of deceit and obsession, where beauty masks betrayal and art becomes a weapon of control.
Awards and Nominations
Ischia Global Film Festival: Won Best Production Design.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Nominated for Grand Jury Prize.
Rome Independent Film Festival: Recognized for Best Cinematography.
Critics Reception
RogerEbert.com: Praised Electra for “visual precision and psychological intrigue,” but noted occasional narrative detours.
The Film Verdict: Called it “a stylish debut with sharp teeth,” highlighting its homage to 90s erotic thrillers.
Variety: Mentioned the “impressive command of mood and setting” but felt the character arcs could have used more clarity.
Overall Summary: Critics appreciated the aesthetics, atmosphere, and ambition of Matar’s debut, though some found the narrative structure overly enigmatic. Praise centered on performance, style, and thematic ambition.
Reviews (Online)
Film Threat: 8/10 – Applauded “commanding performances” and the “fusion of fashion, myth, and power play.”
Letterboxd Users: Generally favorable, averaging 3.5/5 – users praised its aesthetic but noted some pacing issues.
IndieWire Forums: Users discussed it as “a conversation starter” and praised its cinematic influences (from The Dreamers to Eyes Wide Shut).
Overall Summary: Strong engagement from arthouse and indie fans; the film is regarded as intellectually rich and visually memorable, though not universally accessible.
Box Office
Limited theatrical release—modest returns due to niche distribution. Estimated gross (limited markets): $180,000 in its first three weeks (North America and select European markets).
Production (Summary)
Shot on location at the 15th-century Castello Ruspoli in Italy over a tight 3-week schedule. The crew focused on in-camera effects, natural lighting, and Renaissance-era interiors to accentuate the themes of grandeur and confinement.
Production Companies
Yale Entertainment – USA
Ring Film – Italy
Great Escape – USA
Sales Companies
Great Escape (USA): Represented the film at international markets including Berlinale and TIFF, emphasizing its festival appeal and style-forward aesthetic.
Distribution Companies
Level 33 Entertainment (USA): Handled U.S. theatrical and VOD distribution, targeting indie audiences and arthouse cinemas.
Release Dates
Theatrical Release: May 2, 2025 (USA limited)
Streaming/VOD: Available from May 2, 2025 on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo on Demand
Why Recommend This Movie
Visually Arresting: Ideal for viewers who appreciate the aesthetic richness of films like The Neon Demon or Call Me By Your Name.
Psychological Complexity: Appeals to fans of layered character studies and modern mythological reinterpretations.
Fresh Directorial Voice: A strong, stylish debut from a promising female filmmaker.
Why You Should Watch the Movie
For the Performances: Maria Bakalova and Jack Farthing deliver standout portrayals in a story that demands subtle emotional shifts.
For the Setting: A rare example where the setting acts as a fifth character—opulent, haunting, and constraining.
For the Subtext: Beneath the surface glamour lies commentary on authenticity, exploitation, and the cost of self-invention.
Movie Trend Film is Following
Trend Name: “Neo-Art House Thrillers” Films that blend psychological depth with stylized visuals and ambiguous storytelling, often focusing on identity and performance, appealing to arthouse audiences seeking emotional and narrative complexity.
Big Social Trend Film is Following
Trend Name: “Curated Personas” Explores how individuals craft and perform identities—whether online or in interpersonal relationships—as a response to social pressures, expectations, and desire for control.
Final Verdict
“Electra” is a heady, atmospheric debut that wears its aesthetic like couture and its emotional depth like armor. Hala Matar’s stylish psychological drama may not be for every viewer, but those willing to peel back its layers will find a haunting meditation on self-deception, desire, and identity.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Use Setting as Subtext: Leveraging location to reflect characters’ internal states can amplify emotional stakes.
Draw From Myth and Art: Classical references can add thematic richness when grounded in modern storytelling.
Trust the Viewer: Ambiguity, when used carefully, encourages audience engagement and interpretation.
Recommendations for the Movie Industry
Support International Co-Productions: Blending cultural influences enriches storytelling and visual style.
Champion Female Directors in Genre Film: Expanding perspectives in psychological thrillers adds depth and originality.
Invest in Hybrid Genres: Films that straddle art house and thriller categories can appeal to growing niche audiences on streaming.
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