Sayara (2024) by Can Evrenol: A Savage and Vicious Journey of Revenge

Short Summary: Justice Beyond the Law Sayara, a quiet cleaner at an Istanbul gym and an immigrant from Turkmenistan, leads a seemingly unremarkable life. But she harbors a secret: a past as an expert in Sambo, a Soviet martial art, taught to her by her former special forces father. When her sister is brutally raped and murdered by the gym's politically-connected owner and his friends, and the corrupt justice system lets them walk free, Sayara unleashes her hidden skills in a brutal, bone-shattering quest for revenge that is as relentless as it is unforgiving.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28056072/

Link Review: https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3836336/sayara-is-harrowing-revenge-horror-thats-ruthless-relentless-review/

About movie: https://intermedya.tv/dagitim/sayara/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/sayara (France)

Detailed Summary: A Descent into Vengeful Fury

• The film centers on Sayara, a shy and unassuming Turkmen immigrant working as a janitor at a high-end gym in Istanbul. Her sister, Yonca, is having an affair with the gym's owner, Baris, the son of a powerful and corrupt politician.

• When Yonca catches Baris with another woman and attempts to blackmail him, he and three of his friends brutally rape and murder her. They then use their political connections to make her death look like a suicide, and the system fails to hold them accountable.

• This act of injustice is the catalyst for Sayara's transformation. She begins to methodically hunt down and eliminate every person connected to her sister's death. The film uses flashbacks to reveal her past training, showing how her father, a Sambo champion, instilled in her a brutal and effective fighting style.

• The film is a departure from director Can Evrenol's previous supernatural horror work, but it retains his signature dark, visceral, and unflinching style. Sayara's journey is not a simple "action movie" revenge plot; it's a "nihilistic" descent into a world of brutal violence and psychological torment.

• The climax of the film sees Sayara confronting her main target, Baris, and his powerful father in a final, bloody showdown, where she uses her martial arts skills to deliver a raw and brutal form of justice.

Director's Vision: A Genre-Bending, Sociopolitical Thriller

• Can Evrenol's vision for Sayara was to create a "rape-revenge" film that is also a commentary on the social and political injustices in modern Turkey. Evrenol, known for his horror films Baskin and Housewife, intended to make a grounded and realistic thriller that feels just as terrifying as his supernatural work.

• The director aimed to create a film that would be "more action-coded than it is purely a horror movie," while still maintaining his signature "violent and stylized approach." He wanted to explore a sub-genre that he considers "dangerous," using the revenge narrative to "channel audience expectations."

• Evrenol's direction is praised for its "claustrophobic directing style and heavy use of close-ups," which immerses the audience in the film's brutality. The sound design is also a key part of his vision, with the "deep, resonant bass" and the "rhythmic sound of self-defense martial arts" creating a tense and visceral atmosphere.

• The film, produced independently, is a bold political statement. By focusing on a marginalized immigrant woman and a corrupt, politically-connected elite, Evrenol is using the film to "blatantly criticize the injustices inherent in today's Turkey - between women and men, between marginalized minorities and a corrupt elite."

Themes: Vengeance, Injustice, and a Loss of Humanity

• The Failure of the System: A central theme is the film's critique of a corrupt justice system that protects the powerful and leaves the marginalized without recourse. Sayara's quest for vengeance is born out of a deep sense of injustice and a belief that the system will never deliver justice for her sister.

• The Cost of Revenge: The film is an exploration of the destructive nature of revenge. Sayara's journey is a "villain origin story" in a sense, as her descent into violence strips away her humanity, leaving behind a "raw, visceral need for retribution."

• Feminist Horror and Retribution: The film is a prime example of feminist horror and a "radical reckoning with a sexist system." It’s a story about a woman who fights back against a deeply misogynistic and patriarchal society that has silenced and exploited women.

• The Unseen and Unheard: The film's protagonist, a quiet immigrant janitor, is a powerful symbol of the people who are often overlooked and ignored by society. Sayara's transformation from an invisible woman to a "one-woman murder machine" is a statement about the power of the marginalized to rise up and demand justice.

Key Success Factors: A Fearless Lead Performance and a Grounded, Brutal Style

• A Stellar Lead Performance: Duygu Kocabiyik's "fearlessly intense" performance as Sayara is a major success factor. She masterfully portrays both the shy, meek janitor and the cold, calculated killer, making her a compelling and terrifying anti-heroine.

• Can Evrenol's Signature Style: Fans of Evrenol's previous work will find a lot to love in Sayara. The film's brutal, unapologetic violence and its stylistic flair, particularly its use of sound and close-up shots, are a key reason for its success.

• A Timely and Relevant Story: The film's themes of social injustice, corruption, and the empowerment of women resonate strongly with a modern audience, making it a timely and relevant watch.

Awards & Nominations: Festival Acclaim

• Sayara has been a major success on the film festival circuit. It won the Golden Razor Blade for Best Feature at the HARD:LINE Film Festival and was an official selection at the Istanbul International Film Festival, Beyond Fest, Fantasy Filmfest, and Grimmfest.

Critics Reception: A Brutal and Unflinching Masterpiece

• Bloody Disgusting: Praised the film as "harrowing revenge horror that's ruthless & relentless" and "one of 2024's most savage movies, horror or otherwise."

• Haddonfield Horror: Called the film a "brutal but authentic story" and a "raw, unflinching energy" that will provide "the kind of violent catharsis you crave when you seek out a revenge film."

• The Peoples Movies: Described the film as a "scorched-earth action flick with degenerate horror credentials" that "swaggers into movie violence infamy with savage style."

Overall Summary: Critical reception for Sayara is overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising the film for its brutal and unflinching approach to the revenge genre, its powerful social commentary, and a tour-de-force performance by Duygu Kocabiyik.

Reviews: A Hard-Hitting and Unforgettable Film

• YouTube Trailer Reactions: The film's trailer has been met with a mix of excitement and unease, with many people praising the film's gritty aesthetic and brutal action.

• Horror Podcast Interviews: In interviews with director Can Evrenol on horror podcasts, he has spoken about his influences for the film, from Kill Bill to the "raw, unflinching energy of Nicolas Winding Refn's Pusher trilogy."

Overall Summary: The reviews and online discussions around Sayara suggest a film that is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can stomach its brutal nature, it offers a "haunting, powerful experience" that will leave a lasting impression.

Why to watch this movie: A Gritty and Unapologetic Revenge Thriller

• A Masterclass in "Grindhouse" Cinema: If you're a fan of gritty, low-budget thrillers that are not afraid to be brutal, this film is a great watch. It’s a love letter to the "video nasties" of the past.

• A Powerful Social Commentary: Beyond the blood and guts, the film is a powerful commentary on social and political issues, particularly in modern Turkey. It’s a film that will make you think as much as it will make you wince.

• A Star-Making Performance: Duygu Kocabiyik's performance is unforgettable. She delivers a raw, emotional, and physical performance that is a true highlight of the film.

Movie Trend: The Rise of International Genre Cinema Sayara is a prime example of the trend of international genre films finding a global audience. The film, which is made in Turkey, proves that great cinema can come from anywhere, and that a powerful story can transcend language and cultural barriers.

Social Trend: The Demand for Justice The film taps into the social trend of a growing demand for justice, particularly for the victims of abuse and exploitation. Sayara's journey, while extreme, is a powerful fantasy of what it would look like if the powerless could truly fight back against the powerful.

Final Verdict: A Brutal and Visceral Triumph Sayara is a brutal and visceral triumph that is a testament to the power of a strong director, a fearless lead performance, and a powerful story. It's a film that is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to take the journey, it offers a haunting, unforgettable experience. It's a hard-hitting and unapologetic film that, despite its dark subject matter, is a shining example of what independent genre cinema can be.