The Ugly (1997 film)
A psychiatrist confronts a serial killer's dark persona.
The Ugly is a 1997 New Zealand psychological horror film written and directed by Scott Reynolds in his directorial debut. The film stars Paolo Rotondo, Rebecca Hobbs, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and Roy Ward. It follows a psychiatrist who evaluates a serial killer to determine if he has been cured, leading to a journey through his past and the revelation of 'The Ugly,' a distorted allusion to 'The Ugly Duckling.' The film's success led to Miramax funding Reynolds' next project, Heaven.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Scott Reynolds
- Producer
- Jonathan Dowling
- Starring
- Paolo Rotondo / Rebecca Hobbs / Jennifer Ward-Lealand / Roy Ward
- Music
- Victoria Kelly
- Cinematography
- Simon Raby
- Editing
- Wayne Cook
- Released
- 26 August 1997 · Montreal World Film Festival
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
- Country
- New Zealand
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film is set inside an old, decrepit insane asylum in Auckland, where detained serial killer Simon Cartwright seeks reevaluation by psychiatrist Dr. Karen Schumaker to prove he is cured. Simon endures abuse from orderlies Philip and Robert. Dr. Marlowe, the head of the asylum, believes Karen is involved for publicity. Another patient, Marge, warns Karen to watch out for 'The Ugly.' Through flashbacks, Simon's backstory reveals abuse by his mother, Evelyn, who drove away his only cared-for person, Julie, and prevented his wealthy father from taking custody. Simon murdered his mother, was locked in an asylum for five years, then killed over a dozen people, including Julie, but spared a teenaged deaf girl. Simon explains that 'the ugly' makes him kill, and Karen discovers it is his alternate persona with psychic powers. At the end, Simon kills the orderlies and escapes, but Dr. Karen Schumaker survives.
Reader's Guide
The Ugly is significant as Scott Reynolds' directorial debut and a notable entry in New Zealand horror cinema. Its success secured Miramax funding for Reynolds' next project, Heaven. The film received mixed reviews, with a 40% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews and an IMDb rating of 6.0/10.0. It earned 14 award nominations with 7 wins, including best actor for Paolo Rotondo at FantaFestival, best actress for Rebecca Hobbs at Fantasporto, and best director at Sitges. Director Scott Reynolds made a stylistic choice to depict all blood as black, which author John Kenneth Muir suggested may indicate Simon never saw his victims as human. The film's exploration of a serial killer's alternate persona and psychic powers adds to its psychological horror themes.
Did You Know?
- The film's blood is depicted as a dark, black color, a stylistic decision by director Scott Reynolds.
- The Ugly was nominated for best film awards at festivals in New Zealand, Portugal, and the United States.
- Paolo Rotondo won best actor for his role at FantaFestival in 1997.
- The film's success led to Miramax funding Scott Reynolds' next project, Heaven.
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