Keanu Reeves and Netflix have both found their next big action franchise. The streamer is turning Reeves’ Boom! Studios comic, BRZRKR, into a live-action movie. Not only that, but a sequel anime series is in the works, too.
BRZRKR’s first issue was published just this month, with the 12-issue series following the hyper-violent immortal berserker, who basically looks just like Reeves, over his 80,000-year life. In the present day he works for the government in exchange for finding out the secrets of his immortality and what it would take for him to finally die.
It sounds a lot like last year’s Netflix blockbuster, The Old Guard, which may explain their interest.
Reeves will play the title character not only in the live-action movie, but he’ll voice the anime series, as well.
BRZRKR was a gigantic hit for BOOM Studios, selling more than 615,000 copies. The comic was co-written by Reeves alongside Matt Kindt, and penciled by former X-Men artist Ron Garney.
No word on the creatives attached, but I expect that will change soon. [THR]
Exciting news! Netflix is developing a live action film AND follow-up anime series based on Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR, a brutally epic saga about an immortal warrior’s 80,000 year fight through the ages. Reeves will produce and star in the film, and voice the anime. pic.twitter.com/RVWEuBCXTJ
— NX (@NXOnNetflix) March 22, 2021
The visit has its ups and downs. The distance between Miriam and Caleb seems to be unwavering. When they are in the company of others they can laugh and enjoy themselves. It’s those moments alone where the chasm between them can’t be ignored. Miriam spends most of her time alone with either Greta or Dylan. There is a layer of resentment between the sisters that pokes out at times. Everyone seems to know that is it there, but it’s the elephant in the room. One evening Miriam and Dylan are the only ones left at the fire. Miriam opens up and is vulnerable with Dylan, who ends up taking advantage of the situation and her vulnerability. Miriam feels angry and betrayed by Dylan and Greta. She feels her only recourse is revenge – regardless of what it may do to her.
Dusty Mancinelli and Madeleine Sims-Fewer both wrote and directed the film together. Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer were incredibly successful at making the audience feel uncomfortable for much of Violation. Angst can tear someone up inside, completely spiraling them out of control. Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer convey these feelings within Miriam through their use of camera angles and affects as well as music. This sense of disorientation and turmoil is apparent in shots throughout the film. Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer implement inverse shots, blurriness, zooming, and distortion multiple times during the runtime. At some points it may be a bit of an overkill – but the imagery is powerful, and the music perfectly compliments the intensity of the scenes. From eerie and ominous noises to intense classical and gothic scores, we are able to feel the emotions from the music.
The main issue for Violation is the lack of character development and backstory to truly connect with Miriam. We are shocked and horrified about her predicament, but there is not that deeper connection. Interactions and mentions of the past occur throughout the film, but these do not serve to build enough of a foundation for us to truly connect with the characters. Violation has a limited cast, with a vast majority of the film only touching upon the four characters mentioned. These interactions also only occur in a few settings for the film. The audience is given the chance to truly focus on the dialogue and characters that are present. However, Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer do not capitalize on this and bonds with the audience and characters are not fully formed.
Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer weave flashbacks into the narrative to try and paint the entire picture of what Miriam is going through. Unfortunately, this leads to the narrative being choppy at times. It can be confusing exactly where and when things are happening, and the film doesn’t flow smoothly. This becomes clearer as the film progresses but is an issue for a good portion of the runtime. Violation is far from a perfect film, but it is a powerful one. There are certain scenes that will be burned in my memory for quite some time. There are numerous scenes of a very adult nature that many may find disturbing. Violation’s imagery and story make it worth a watch and overshadow any deficiencies that are present. Just mentally prepare yourself for some unpleasantness, Violation is certainly not a happy-go-lucky cinematic experience.
