SISSY (2022)

Sissy (2022)
Directed by: Hannah Barlow, Kane Senes
Written by: Hannah Barlow, Kane Senes
Starring: Aisha Dee, Daniel Monks, Emily De Margheriti, Hannah Barlow, Lucy Barrett, Yerin Ha

SISSY (2022)
Written and Directed by Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes
A Shudder Original

Self-help influencer Cecilia bumps into her estranged best friend from childhood, Emma. Overjoyed to see her former BFF, Emma invites Cecilia to join her on her hen weekend but what Cecilia doesn’t realise is that the getaway will be hosted at the home of Alex, a girl who used to bully Cecilia when they were at school.

As old wounds are reopened as the two come face to face, Cecilia struggles to prevent the past from ruining the present as long kept secrets come to light.

Australian horror comedy SISSY jabs at the current trend of reality TV, living life on social media and portraying unrealistic images to others with a tantalising horror twist.

Aisha Dee stars as the film’s lead character, Cecilia, aka Sissy. Going under the moniker Sincerely Cecilia, she appears to be holding onto her sanity by a thread – a world away from the image she puts out to her 200,000 followers on social media. Outside of the Likes, Comments and Shares, which appear to give her the endorphin rush and strength she needs to get through the day, Cecilia seems a little fragile and is haunted by the past. So when she’s confronted with memories she’d rather have left behind of her school days, the trauma rises to the surface to be replayed over and over. I think anyone watching will be able to relate, especially if they’ve been on the receiving end of bullying and taunts. But what happens when you’re shacked up and have to interact with someone who used to be your tormentor? How would that pan out?

SISSY has a lot of fun with the idea of being faced with a nemesis who’d like to get revenge on you, and gleefully lets rip in some rather interesting and gruesome ways. It also highlights how trauma in childhood can manifest and have a long-lasting influence into adulthood, resulting in a mental health nightmare. The social media element of the movie also shines a spotlight on another aspect of the technology that is detrimental to mental health. We see how social interaction pushes instant gratification without getting to the bones of the problem by stroking one’s ego and making the individual feel good if only for a little while even if their outside existence is miserable. With the idea of success and how to gauge it subconsciously forced on many people these days, young people especially are very susceptible to thinking they need to be seen as a success in life or have people like them, and if not they’re a failure. What about being happy with the skin you’re in and stop chasing to imitate the lives of others? Easier said than done, I’m afraid.

SISSY revels in the horror genre with its tongue firmly in cheek. And though it certainly has a number of humorous moments, it has its fair share of shocking, gruesome ones too! Squelchy gore is what the doctor ordered and is certainly what you get as the moment of impact is given centre stage for the horror hounds to relish. Those who appreciate a good B-movie and practical effects should be more than happy with what the filmmakers have delivered.

A darkly comic, satirical slice of cinema, SISSY embraces the unhinged modern mindset of finding and keeping ‘fame’ at whatever the cost, and lets rip in delightful fashion.

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