“Shell”

Deliciously provocative and bizarre, director Max Minghella’s “Shell” is a film that delves into society’s obsession with wellness and physical beauty. Through the lens of body horror, the movie combines sharp social commentary with a playful, if uneven, exploration of genre tropes.

Samantha (Elisabeth Moss) is a fortysomething struggling actress who is trapped with a stagnating career that’s seeping into her personal life as well. Desperate to recapture her Hollywood glory days, she turns to the enigmatic director of the Shell Corporation, Zoe (Kate Hudson), and her promise of youthful beauty, boosted confidence, and boundless vitality. Unable to resist Zoe’s claims, Samantha turns to the Corporation’s revolutionary (and highly dangerous) treatment. As with every wild claim, this one does not come without its unintended consequences.

Equally campy, hilarious, and disgusting, the film operates in a space inhabited by cult classics like “The Fly” and “Tusk,” with plenty of nods to everything from retro Roger Corman to the schlock shock flicks of Troma. It’s clear that Minghella was inspired by those that came before him, especially with his over-the-top horror scenarios that occasionally tip into the realm of corny.

And this is where the film looses its footing. It’s highly ambitious, especially as Minghella tries to balance the overtly bizarre elements with significant social commentary. The idea of taking a leap of faith for the sake of physical enhancement brilliantly echoes the current absurdity of society’s fixation on beauty and youth, especially considering how easy it is to coerce a person who is so desperate for change. This is a film that will particularly resonate with women, especially as it asks what we are willing to sacrifice for a promised solution to our deepest fears.

The film never takes itself too seriously, and its commitment to radical satire is admirable. It relentlessly skewers the wellness industry’s promises of eternal youth and perfection and, while the writing remains sharp, the film sometimes struggles to nail down its thematic messaging.

The problem I have with “Shell” is that while it embraces its inventive premise, energetic execution, general weirdness, and bonkers midnight movie vibe, it falls short of its potential. It’s entertaining but not thought-provoking, and never fully commits to the depth its premise seems to promise.

By: Louisa Moore