Alexis, who has recovered her hearing after witnessing the brutal murder of her family at the age of ten, has synesthetic abilities awakened in her and starts a journey of self-discovery through brutal violence.
Written and directed by Alex Noyer, his feature debut is about a serial killing musician, Alexis (Jasmin Savoy Brown), with Synesthesia. Synesthesia is a neurological condition that can cause people to see sounds as whirling colors. Alexis was born deaf. After witnessing her father brutally murder her mother, she regains her sense of hearing. More importantly, while killing her father, she has a visceral sensory experience. Jasmin Savoy Brown is a talented actor best known for her work on “The Leftovers” but disappointingly she’s been underused by Hollywood. With her starring role as Alexis, dealing with a multitude of emotions, she proves to be a capable leading lady.
Now grown up, Alexis teaches music classes. She also listens to recordings of fistfights, BDSM sessions, and macabre sounds to escape visions of her father. Many people suffering from PTSD are dealing with dysregulation, for which they seek balance, often in the form of what are considered vices or unhealthy and are confusing, sometimes shocking, for those without PTSD symptoms. For Alexis, it is the need for bigger, bloodier sounds. And like most narratives dealing with addictions, things get dark.
When not working in her RV-turned-music-studio, Alexis fawns over Marie (Lili Simmons), her roommate and best friend. Marie is an electronics wiz, who customizes synthesizers and helps Alexis record for her experimental project. The two end up recording a BDSM session involving a dominatrix whipping a man. Alexis commands the dominatrix to continue until the man’s back is in tatters and snaps at Marie when she suggests they have enough material. Eventually, Alexis needs more “melodies” for her experimental album and begins creatively killing people like an insane composer. A suspicious Marie begins to see there’s more going on and must do her best not to become a hit single.
“Sound of Violence” was categorized as a Midnight Movie at this year’s SXSW. With over-the-top gore, it certainly earns its moniker. The film features great use of sound design but the onslaught of colors to convey Alexis’s sensory pleasure is a bit overdone. The movie is certainly not for the squeamish but if you’ve ever wanted to see a human’s head explode from frequencies, like an opera singer with a wine glass, then this is for you.
In Select Theaters and Video-On-Demand Friday, May 21st
