Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse.
Mindcage is a 2022 psychological thriller directed by Mauro Borrelli and starring Martin Lawrence, John Malkovich, and Melissa Roxburgh. The plot follows detectives Jake Doyle (Martin Lawrence) and Mary Kelly (Melissa Roxburgh) who seek the help of an incarcerated serial killer named The Artist (John Malkovich) when a copycat killer strikes. While Mary searches for clues in The Artist’s brilliant but twisted psyche, she and Jake are lured into a diabolical game of cat and mouse, racing against time to stay one step ahead of The Artist and his copycat.
UNDER THE LENS: Set Design/Art
Set Design/Art: It’s not surprising that Mindcage being directed by an artist should have a compelling set design and artistic influence throughout its runtime. The picture deals a lot with the psychological makeup of its villains and heroes, but also what influences them. Humans all have a breaking point, and Mindcage does its best to explore that horizon and what draws people to that edge.
The set design is also hauntingly beautiful, with each of “The Artist”s victims dressed as a living painting or sculpture, it’s disturbing but also beautifully designed. While many films of this sort go all in for the gore and cookie-cutter murder scenes, Mindcage does the opposite and showcases its crime scenes as one of art.
Art is a powerful force in Mindcage, and its director seeks to showcase the power of emotion in the lives and actions of our heroes and villains. It elevates what could have been a basic serial killer story into one that is very original.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Martin Lawrence turns in a good performance in a rare dramatic turn for the actor
- John Malkovich is incredibly creepy and a great counterbalance to our heroes
QUOTABLE QUOTE
Jake Doyle: Just some old demons
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
How has art impacted your life? What do you feel when you look at a masterful work of art in painting or sculpture?
CONCLUSION
Overall Mindcage is a moody psychological thriller that is both exciting and disturbing (in a good way), showing the depravity and darkness of man, but also its shining light as well. Anchored by a fun and creepy performance by John Malkovich and a soulfully dramatic turn by Martin Lawrence. The picture also delivers a twist that few will see coming that is both shocking yet also plays into the film’s themes of identity, and psychoanalysis. Mindcage does not reinvent the wheel, but it does not need to, it provides a thrilling mystery and some good characters to follow along the way. It’s a perfect film to check out if you enjoy psychological thrillers with just a hint of horror to them.
