• Latest
  • Trending
Clawfoot Review

Clawfoot Review: A Twisted Tale of Manipulation and Murder

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review: A Painter’s Tale in Bohemia

The Balcony Movie Review

The Balcony Movie Review: A Philosophical Perch on Human Transience

What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review

What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review: Before Trans Visibility Had a Name

frankenstein 2025

Fans Push for Big-Screen Run After Netflix Drops Frankenstein Teaser

2 hours ago
Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

Judge Faces New Twist as Lively Seeks to Trim Lawsuit Against Baldoni

3 hours ago
Jacob Elordi

Elordi’s POW Drama Leads to Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights

3 hours ago
Paramount

Paramount Sets July 2 Shareholder Meeting as Skydance Vote Looms

3 hours ago
Maggie Lawson

Psych Alum Maggie Lawson to Lead CBS’s Boston Blue

3 hours ago
Sean Baker

Sean Baker Rejects Blockbusters, Plans Indie Follow-Up to Anora

3 hours ago
ryan coogler

Director Calls Sinners “One-and-Done” Despite Studio Rumors

3 hours ago
Eminem

Eminem’s Stans Ignites SXSW London on Opening Night

4 hours ago
James Cameron

Cameron Picks Up The Devils as Post-Avatar Project

4 hours ago
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    frankenstein 2025

    Fans Push for Big-Screen Run After Netflix Drops Frankenstein Teaser

    Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

    Judge Faces New Twist as Lively Seeks to Trim Lawsuit Against Baldoni

    Jacob Elordi

    Elordi’s POW Drama Leads to Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights

    Paramount

    Paramount Sets July 2 Shareholder Meeting as Skydance Vote Looms

    Maggie Lawson

    Psych Alum Maggie Lawson to Lead CBS’s Boston Blue

    Sean Baker

    Sean Baker Rejects Blockbusters, Plans Indie Follow-Up to Anora

    ryan coogler

    Director Calls Sinners “One-and-Done” Despite Studio Rumors

    Eminem

    Eminem’s Stans Ignites SXSW London on Opening Night

    James Cameron

    Cameron Picks Up The Devils as Post-Avatar Project

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    The Balcony Movie Review

    The Balcony Movie Review: A Philosophical Perch on Human Transience

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review: Before Trans Visibility Had a Name

    Bullet Train Explosion Review

    Bullet Train Explosion Review: Bureaucracy, Bombs, and the Weight of Duty

    Pets Review

    Pets Review: Bryce Dallas Howard’s Ode to Companionship

    The Mortician Season 1 Review

    The Mortician Season 1 Review: Inside a House of Horrors and Profiteering

    Falling Into Place Review

    Falling Into Place Review: Aylin Tezel’s Debut Navigates Modern Romance

    Marshmallow Review

    Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

    Zero Review

    Zero Review: Navigating Power and Peril on Senegal’s Streets

    Shadow Of God Review

    Shadow Of God Review: Redefining Possession in a Chilling Light

  • Game Reviews
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review: A Painter’s Tale in Bohemia

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review: Guiding Spirits with Style and Sincerity

    Blacksmith Master Review

    Blacksmith Master Review: The Satisfying Grind of Metal and Management

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review: Unforgiving, Unforgettable Horror

    Cubic Odyssey Review

    Cubic Odyssey Review: An Ambitious Architect’s Space Dream

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review: A Song of Systems and Sorrows

    To a T Review

    To a T Review: Finding Perfection in an Imperfect Shape

    Spray Paint Simulator Review

    Spray Paint Simulator Review: Coating the Town, One Careful Layer at a Time

    F1 25 Review

    F1 25 Review: A Stunning Drive, If You Have the Right Rig

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    frankenstein 2025

    Fans Push for Big-Screen Run After Netflix Drops Frankenstein Teaser

    Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

    Judge Faces New Twist as Lively Seeks to Trim Lawsuit Against Baldoni

    Jacob Elordi

    Elordi’s POW Drama Leads to Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights

    Paramount

    Paramount Sets July 2 Shareholder Meeting as Skydance Vote Looms

    Maggie Lawson

    Psych Alum Maggie Lawson to Lead CBS’s Boston Blue

    Sean Baker

    Sean Baker Rejects Blockbusters, Plans Indie Follow-Up to Anora

    ryan coogler

    Director Calls Sinners “One-and-Done” Despite Studio Rumors

    Eminem

    Eminem’s Stans Ignites SXSW London on Opening Night

    James Cameron

    Cameron Picks Up The Devils as Post-Avatar Project

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    The Balcony Movie Review

    The Balcony Movie Review: A Philosophical Perch on Human Transience

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review: Before Trans Visibility Had a Name

    Bullet Train Explosion Review

    Bullet Train Explosion Review: Bureaucracy, Bombs, and the Weight of Duty

    Pets Review

    Pets Review: Bryce Dallas Howard’s Ode to Companionship

    The Mortician Season 1 Review

    The Mortician Season 1 Review: Inside a House of Horrors and Profiteering

    Falling Into Place Review

    Falling Into Place Review: Aylin Tezel’s Debut Navigates Modern Romance

    Marshmallow Review

    Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

    Zero Review

    Zero Review: Navigating Power and Peril on Senegal’s Streets

    Shadow Of God Review

    Shadow Of God Review: Redefining Possession in a Chilling Light

  • Game Reviews
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review: A Painter’s Tale in Bohemia

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review: Guiding Spirits with Style and Sincerity

    Blacksmith Master Review

    Blacksmith Master Review: The Satisfying Grind of Metal and Management

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review: Unforgiving, Unforgettable Horror

    Cubic Odyssey Review

    Cubic Odyssey Review: An Ambitious Architect’s Space Dream

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review: A Song of Systems and Sorrows

    To a T Review

    To a T Review: Finding Perfection in an Imperfect Shape

    Spray Paint Simulator Review

    Spray Paint Simulator Review: Coating the Town, One Careful Layer at a Time

    F1 25 Review

    F1 25 Review: A Stunning Drive, If You Have the Right Rig

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
Clawfoot Review

Charlie Hunnam Cast as Ed Gein in Netflix's 'Monster' Anthology Series

Panopticon Review: A Promising Debut Tackling Vital Themes

Home Entertainment Movies

Clawfoot Review: A Twisted Tale of Manipulation and Murder

Peeling Back the Layers of Deception

Arash Nahandian by Arash Nahandian
9 months ago
in Entertainment, Movies, Reviews
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

Clawfoot is a 2023 black comedy thriller film directed in his feature directorial debut by Michael Day. It stars Francesca Eastwood as Janet, a housewife whose day is disrupted by a contractor played by Milo Gibson showing up to install a bathtub without her prior knowledge. Also featuring Olivia Culpo and Nestor Carbonell, the film was released digitally on September 23rd last year.

Janet’s orderly suburban life is thrown into question with the strange arrival of handyman Leo and his assistant Samuel at her door. While she reluctantly allows them into her home to do the job her absent husband supposedly hired them for, Janet becomes increasingly suspicious of Leo’s intentions and odd behavior.

Her concealed troubled past may also hold clues to the mystery. As tensions rise, dark secrets are unearthed, and a twisted tale of manipulation and violence unfolds.

This review will provide a comprehensive analysis of all key elements of Clawfoot, from the performances and plot to its technical execution and themes explored through its blend of black comedy and thriller.

Characters Take Center Stage

Let’s get to know the central characters better. Janet comes across as your typical elegantly put-together suburban housewife, but as the story unfolds, we learn there are hidden depths below her polished surface. She keeps her true thoughts closely guarded while navigating her mundane routines.

Then there’s Leo, whose brash, overfamiliar manner immediately sets Janet on edge. Is he really just a bumbling handyman as he appears? Samuel provides some lightheartedness with his good-natured foolishness, though even he remains an enigma.

When Leo and Samuel surprisingly show up at Janet’s door claiming a job from her absent husband, it kicks off a chain of events that shake up Janet’s orderly world. Her suspicions grow as Leo’s behavior grows creepier, intruding on her privacy. When clues hint her past holds secrets, the mystery only deepens. As tensions escalate, a shocking revelation upends what we thought we knew about all involved.

The film suspensefully peels back layers of deception through the protagonists’ volatile dynamics. While some plot points could have been expanded, the gradual unfolding of hidden motives and rising conflict keeps viewers constantly guessing. Small clues are sprinkled in to tantalize without giving the whole game away too soon. An atmosphere of unease and dubious intentions permeates throughout, swiftly building intrigue around these complex characters and their changing relationships.

Crafting the Tone Through Visuals

Michael Day shows deft ability, achieving just the right tone, blending black comedy, mystery, and ever-darkening scenes. The film doesn’t shy away from harsher moments yet keeps a playful spirit.

Clawfoot Review

The cinematography by Evan Bowes beautifully captures the elegant suburban backdrop, with warm sun-drenched interiors forming a dissonant setting for looming threats. His colorful visuals are pleasant to watch yet don’t distract from the foreboding undertones. A few more stylistic flourishes in heightened drama may have further enhanced some key reveals.

The stately home itself becomes almost a character. Its spacious, refined design reflects Janet’s carefully constructed facade yet hints at darker possibilities within meticulously decorated rooms. Details like furnishings and decor establish atmosphere and allow viewers to picture scenes unfolding in this deceptive environment that grows increasingly ominous. Art direction crafts an enthralling stage for the twisted drama to play out upon.

Director Michael Day directs with a deft hand, maintaining suspense and levity in perfect tension through visualization complementing Wolfe’s witty script. Combined visual elements grip the audience simultaneously, entertaining and unnerving them until the vivid finale.

Stealing the Screen

Francesca Eastwood is a real standout as Janet. She gives the character layers, showing Janet’s poise and hiding more vulnerable emotions. Eastwood navigates Janet’s evolution seamlessly. Her chemistry with co-stars like Milo Gibson is something to behold too; their clashes feel both fun and fiery.

Clawfoot Review

Gibson is a treat as the disruptive Leo. He makes the character cunning yet entertaining to watch. Leo could have become aggravating, but Gibson nails the right balance, keeping him compelling even when being utterly irritating. His ability to adeptly portray unlikable people is on full display.

As Janet’s pal Tasha, Olivia Culpo lights up every scene she’s in. Culpo imbues the character with vim and wit. Tasha serves as a rich source of humor thanks to Culpo’s talented comedic skills. The film is brightened every moment she appears.

The whole ensemble deserves praise, from Cooper playing the hapless Samuel to guest roles. But it’s the principal trio driving the bulk of the narrative that deserve the highest accolades. Eastwood, Gibson, and Culpo steal every minute they’re on screen—their dedicated performances make Clawfoot a joy from start to satisfying finish.

Musical Madness Amplifies the Absurdity

The quirky score by Francis and Wolters is a highlight. From the tongue-in-cheek opening themes to raucous jungle noises during gruesome kills, it perfectly captures each escalating moment with twisted humor. Light motifs punctuate calm scenes before an unhinged orchestral frenzy matches the mayhem, blasting the absurdity up to eleven.

Clawfoot Review

Sound mixing creates a palpable, unsettling ambience. Echoing shouts and slashing sounds immerse viewers in the volatile settings. Careful balancing of dialogue and music also allows witty lines to shine through stressful scenarios.

Smooth editing ties it all together briskly. While subtle visual effects accentuate grizzly moments realistically, they avoid distracting from raw inter-character drama fueling this blackly comedic descent into depravity.

Clawfoot’s technical craft amplifies the pitch-dark hilarity at its core. Listeners and viewers become pulled deeper into the escalating insanity with each meticulously crafted audio-visual touch.

Peeling Back Facades

Clawfoot delves past outward appearances, like Janet’s perfect wife persona masking her independence. Her struggle hints at #MeToo themes, as control is wrested from unwilling women. Manipulation too runs deep—each character harbors secrets, pulling strings from shadows.

Clawfoot Review

The film questions how we present ourselves versus our true nature. Janet, Leo, and others erect false fronts, pursuing their own agendas. Power dynamics shift as manipulation is revealed on multiple sides. Relationships are redefined through these exposures of prior deception.

While biting social commentary is never heavy-handed, the black comedy left me contemplating society’s constraints. Gender roles, the darkness lurking in violence, and facades worn like armor by all characters—the subtext proved as complex as the twisting plot. Answers weren’t so clear-cut, reflecting life’s richer ambiguities.

Ultimately, Clawfoot sparked thought, even as I laughed at its wicked wit. It peeled back layers gracefully to find common ground in our shared human tendencies towards pretense, desire, and the murky spaces where they collide. Themes flowed organically from its clever script and characters.

Twists and Turns Make It a Fun Ride

In conclusion, Clawfoot succeeds most in its ability to constantly surprise with plot developments and delicious black comedy. From the cast’s vibrant portrayals to the escalating antics, the entertainment never stops.

Clawfoot Review

A few reveal feeling weaker when expectations aren’t fully met. The climax could have pushed boundaries further for full effect.

Despite small missed opportunities, Michael Day crafts an absurd tale that keeps viewers guessing throughout. As long as you hop on for the bizarre ride without demanding the utmost realism, Clawfoot delivers consistent thrills and thrills. Genre fans will find this twisted suburban drama a deliciously bizarre diversion.

The Review

Clawfoot

7 Score

Clawfoot succeeds in its main goal of providing 90 minutes of fun. Led by strong performances and fueled by a blend of humor, mystery, and outlandish plot twists, the black comedy keeps its audience constantly entertained throughout its runtime. Despite unfinished elements, director Michael Day shows talent guiding this genre mashup through sheer entertainment value.

PROS

  • Engaging characters and talented performances
  • An intriguing plot full of surprises
  • A blend of comedy, thriller, and social commentary keeps viewers guessing.
  • Tight pacing that maintains interest

CONS

  • Some reveals or character details feel underdeveloped.
  • Climax could have been even more shocking or disturbing.
  • Predictability of minor plot points
  • Formulaic elements among genre conventions

Review Breakdown

  • Overall 0
Tags: ClawfootClawfoot (2023)FeaturedFrancesca EastwoodMichael DayMilo GibsonNéstor CarbonellOliver CooperOlivia CulpoVertical
Previous Post

Charlie Hunnam Cast as Ed Gein in Netflix’s ‘Monster’ Anthology Series

Next Post

Panopticon Review: A Promising Debut Tackling Vital Themes

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Mountainhead Review

    Mountainhead Review: Deepfakes and Deep Trouble

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boglands Review: Shadows and Whispers in the Irish Mist

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Death Valley Review: A Witty Welsh Wander into Cosy Crime

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 Review – Bridging Eras with Spellbinding Charm

    25 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Better Sister Season 1 Review: Not Quite a Killer Thriller

    16 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nine Puzzles Season 1 Review: Puzzle Pieces, Pain, and Police Procedurals

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MobLand Season 1 Review: Family Ties and Underworld Intrigues

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

Bullet Train Explosion Review
Movies

Bullet Train Explosion Review: Bureaucracy, Bombs, and the Weight of Duty

14 hours ago
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review
Reviews Games

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review: A Song of Systems and Sorrows

3 days ago
Stick Season 1 Review
TV Shows

Stick Season 1 Review: Owen Wilson Drives a Heartfelt, Flawed Dramedy

3 days ago
Destination X Review
Entertainment

Destination X Review: A Game of Veiled Realities

4 days ago
Earnhardt Review
Entertainment

Earnhardt Review: The Anatomy of a NASCAR Titan

4 days ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

Go to mobile version