Red Rooms (literal translation: The Red Rooms; orig. title: The red rooms) is a 2023 Canadian crime horror film directed by Pascal Plante from a screenplay by Pascal Plante. The film is set to be released in Canada on August 11, 2023.
„Red Rooms“" is a chilling psychological thriller from Canadian director and screenwriter Pascal Plante, which turns the themes of true crime and internet voyeurism into a deeply disturbing cinematic experience. The film does not rely on cheap shock value, but on gradually building tension and moral ambiguity - something that distinguishes it among contemporary genre productions.
The story focuses on Kelly-Anne, a young and seemingly cool model, who begins attending the trial of accused serial killer Ludovic Chevalier, a case that has attracted enormous media attention. It gradually becomes clear that her interest is more than just curiosity. She immerses herself deeper and deeper into the case - following every detail, analyzing evidence, and spending time in the dark corners of the internet, where rumors and horrific material related to the crimes are circulating.
The film does not follow a classic investigation, but rather an obsession – how one person can get lost in someone else’s tragedy, turning it into a personal mission. The reality and the heroine’s inner fantasies begin to blur, and the viewer is left in constant doubt about her true motives. As the process progresses, the tension comes not from what will happen, but from how Kelly-Ann will react – and how far she is willing to go.
Pascal Plante constructs the film with almost clinical precision. Vincent Biron’s camera is cold, distant and often static – as if we are observing an experiment. The direction deliberately avoids showing violence. Instead, the horror is created through words, suggestions and reactions – an approach that makes the experience even more intense. The film goes through different visual stages – from an almost sterile reality to increasingly surreal and disturbing images reflecting the psyche of the main character. This is a cinema that does not explain – it observes and leaves the viewer feeling uncomfortable.
Juliette Gariepi as Kelly-Anne is extremely effective – her performance is cold, minimalist and deeply disturbing. She builds a character that is both appealing and frightening.
Lori Baben as Clementine serves as a counterpoint – more emotional and human, she emphasizes the strangeness of the main character.
Maxwell McCabe-Lokos In the role of Ludovic Chevalier, he is almost silent, but extremely menacing – his presence weighs heavily on the entire film.
The supporting cast, including Elizabeth Locas and Natalie Tanus, builds a realistic court environment that enhances the sense of documentary.
„Red Rooms“" is a difficult but extremely powerful film. This is not your typical thriller – it offers no catharsis or easy answers. Instead, it places the viewer in the role of an observer and makes them ask: why are we so drawn to horror? With its minimalist direction, strong acting and deeply disturbing theme, the film lingers in the mind long after it has ended. This is cinema that doesn't just tell a story – it explores the dark areas of human curiosity.
