FRAILTY (2001) at 25: The Family That Slays Together Stays Together

FRAILTY (2001) d. Bill Paxton (USA)

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A mysterious young man, Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey) walks into a Texas FBI building and reveals to Agent Doyle (Powers Boothe) that he knows the identity of a local serial killer known as “God’s Hand.” Fenton tells of his father (Bill Paxton), a loving man of deep faith who awakens his sons one night with the news that he has had a vision: God has called on them to serve as slayers of demons. Of course, upon hearing that these demons are “disguised” as human beings, Fenton understandably begins to question his father’s sanity.

Brent Hanley’s powerful screenplay was inspired by both Catholic school teachings and a love of Stephen King. A modern take on the Old Testament stories of fealty and faith, first-time director Paxton and his creative team endow such banal objects as a pair of gloves, a lead pipe, and an axe named “Otis” with mythical status, as well as an abiding uncertainty and mistrust of what we see around us and/or how events are interpreted. Is this a tale of religious enlightenment or mental psychosis? You’ll have to ride along with Fenton and Agent Doyle to find the answers... which only end up leading to more questions.

In the quarter-century since its release, Frailty has lost none of its power, delivering psychological tension and shocks without gratuitous splatter and gore, anchored by incredible performances, Bill Butler’s gorgeous cinematography, and Arnold Glassman’s sharp editing. Paxton’s feature debut is subtle and ambiguous, giving its audience the freedom to arrive at their own terrifying conclusions.

Join AC and his fanatical, er, fantastic panel of guests (Cati Glidewell, Jay Kay, Gert Verbeeck, Freddie Young) as we celebrate 25 years of FRAILTY!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC0iO_TNee4

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