A Female-Driven Thriller That Takes on Grief, Anxiety, and Social Media Angst



A Female-Driven Thriller That Takes on Grief, Anxiety, and Social Media Angst

If Mean Girls and Heathers endured senior year of high school with a featherless Black Swan, it would somehow resemble the film Jane. Directed by Sabrina Jaglom (Home Again, Unforgettable) from a script she co-wrote with Rishi Rajani, the female-driven thriller manages to hit some great marks. It’s steady, it’s brooding, and it invites the audience to ponder what’s really occurring.

Toss in some a gaggle of grief, some cyberbullying, and a believable performance from the film’s lead, Riverdale’s Madelaine Petsch, and that’s plenty of incentive to invest nearly 90 minutes of your time in. True, it doesn’t quite invigorate as effectively as, say, The Outcasts or Cruel Intentions, but it does give us a compelling psychological thriller created by and starring fiercely creative if not determined women.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Jaglom and Petsch stand at the front of the line here. Jaglom — in her directorial debut — co-wrote the story hoping to illuminate the immense pressures teens place upon themselves and delivers a cautionary tale about the downside of social media. In addition to starring in Jane, Petsch is also a first-time producer on the film, more than hinting that she’s all for supporting projects created and produced by women.

No doubt there’s a deeper message in this endeavor: that the mind-bending stories we all have playing out in our heads often become our most challenging foes.

Creator+

The story thus far: Olivia (Petsch) is grieving the death of her best friend, Jane (Chloe Yu), who committed suicide. The traumatic event weakened the bond she once shared with Izzy (Chlöe Bailey) and as the two enter senior year at their all-girls high school, tensions are high. Especially for Olivia. Beyond the grief, her anxiety over getting into Stanford University begins to escalate, and now there’s a new girl in school, Camille (Nina Bloomgarden), who threatens to take over Olivia’s top spot on the debate team.

But — what’s this? — Olivia begins seeing Jane. In the mirror. In the hall. She’s just there—staring blankly back at her. What gives? Olivia tries to shake off the mysterious occurrences and as she and Izzy grow closer again, they hatch a plan to catfish Camille by pretending to be Jane on her old social media page. Why not gaslight this new girl? Who needs all that extra pressure? Initially, the plan works, but in another mysterious turn, somebody else appears to be posting on Jane’s feed, too.

Meanwhile, Olivia keeps spotting Jane. It’s enough to drive a girl mad.

Petsch is a tour de force in the film. Her Cheryl Blossom may be over the top in Riverdale, but it’s refreshing to experience the actress in a more grounded if not maudlin role. Jaglom’s story and, in turn, her direction, keep things more grounded than one expects from a psychological thriller. In the hands of an overly eager writer or director, this film could have sailed over the creative cliff countless times, going for the shock and awe of it all. But there’s an evenness to the storytelling, and it keeps the audience invested. And Petsch is a commanding presence in every frame. As is Bloomgarden’s Camille—frankly her character, while given limited screen time, winds up being thoroughly fascinating. She holds a curious backstory that, in and of itself, would make for either an interesting episode of a streaming series, or its own film. Which brings us to…

Related: Exclusive: Stars and Filmmaker of Jane on Delivering a Female-Driven Thriller

Who Are These Characters, Really?

Who is Olivia? Like, for real. And for that matter, who was Jane? We don’t really know much about them—their past, their family. It’s all a bit nebulous. Considering Jane is one of the main focal points of the tale, we’re given no knowledge of what made her and Olivia such close friends. Furthermore, who were Jane’s parents? Where are they now? And why did she take her life?

One is left to assume that Jaglom purposely kept things a bit mysterious, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark the filmmaker may have intended. We get it — this is a story about anxiety, grief, peer pressure, and the mental madness we put ourselves through, especially during high school. Things slowly percolate here until they reach a wild boil. And yet, one has to wonder if including one or two scenes from Olivia and Jane’s past might have given this already great concept a refreshing boost.

Other characters, such as Melissa Leo’s stalwart principal, and Ian Owens’ debate team coach, seem, at times, as if the actors are calling it in. No doubt Leo, an Oscar winner for goodness’ sake, was intrigued by the project and wanted to support it. And while it’s great to see her here, there seems to be a missed opportunity with her.

As the story unfolds and Olivia descends deeper into her own brouhaha—will she get into Stanford? Won’t she?—Jane continues to resurface. The final fifteen minutes of the film deliver monumental surprises that are effectively executed. They allow audiences to come to some of their own conclusions about… Olivia. Jane. High school. The trials of social media. And the sometimes maniacal things the human psyche is capable of.

Often smart, sometimes lean, but thoroughly sharp, Petsch and Jaglom’s creative drive fuels a better-than-average tale for these ever-precarious modern times.

Jane opens at select AMC Theaters Aug. 26 and streams on Creator+ in September.

You can view the original article HERE.

Elon Musk Goes After Jennifer Lopez for Not Warning People About Diddy
Elon Musk Goes After Jennifer Lopez for Not Warning People About Diddy
N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 Releases on Max This Month
Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 Releases on Max This Month
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Kneecap to headline alongside CMAT, English Teacher and more
Kneecap to headline alongside CMAT, English Teacher and more
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Mahomes, Chiefs keep undefeated season alive with OT win on MNF
Mahomes, Chiefs keep undefeated season alive with OT win on MNF
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Scavengers Reign Season 2 Gets New Trailer, Despite Netflix Cancellation
Scavengers Reign Season 2 Gets New Trailer, Despite Netflix Cancellation
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Editor’s Pick: Mulberry Pimlico Satchel
Editor’s Pick: Mulberry Pimlico Satchel
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel