About the Series: In this 7-week series, I will review and analyze films specially curated for the theme “Women on the Verge (Of a Nervous Breakdown).” Enjoy analyses and thoughts on our cinematic favorites, underrated gems, and discover what makes the featured women protagonists, “On the Verge.”
I am on the edge of my seat for A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) to be the opener for this series. From the mind of Ana Lily Amirpour, this Iranian vampire-horror has been on my watchlist for many years now. Dark, sultry, moody, and calculated, this film gives us, and The Girl, a full meal to chew and ponder on.
The Girl, portrayed by Sheila Vand, is a self-isolating character who spends her time in the eternal vampiric afterlife acting as a self-appointed vigilante to womankind. Very girl boss of her. She sulks and preys upon male characters who are in the midst of nonsensical, generally harmful activity. Pushing them over the edge and into the afterlife, or in the case of The Boy, pushing him into a potential minor heart attack and likely lifelong trauma.