Violet | SXSW 2021 Film Review

We’ve all heard it. That faint little voice in the recesses of your mind. At times informing your every whim, at others instructing your every decision. That inkling of self-doubt that creeps into the folds over each aspect of your life: professional, personal, emotional. This voice can be a godsend, or an absolute bastard. Is it an inner-dialogue, your conscience, or something even deeper? Much of how that voice sounds revolves around the perception of your own self-worth. It can be near impossible to turn off that voice if you have given in to it for too long, and Violet is a film that aims to bring that voice to life.

Olivia Munn stars as Violet, a Hollywood executive in charge of developing films to bring to market, and she’s damn good at it. By all accounts, Violet is the entire reason why her small production house has flourished as well as it has. Though the employees that report to her often take advantage of her inability to confront situations head-on, she is beloved by colleagues, respected by friends, and an intelligent, charming woman by all accounts. So why can’t Violet believe in herself?

It turns out that Violet has an inner-voice – that nagging doubter I mentioned earlier – and he persists with a vigorous disdain for Violet. Voiced phenomenally by Justin Theroux, Violet refers to this ever present self-doubt as her “committee”. When she describes it to others, they often fail to understand as they themselves approach each day rife with confidence. Meanwhile, every situation is a struggle for Violet as she fights off the urge to cater to this ever darkening mouthpiece, to which she typically succumbs.

Violet’s charming screenwriter roommate, Red (Luke Bracey), offers eternally respectful support. Her best friend, Lila (Erica Ash), casually explains that Violet’s experiences with this voice are not as typical as she would think. Her friends make it painfully apparent that assertiveness and confidence can change the tide for Violet’s future, if she could only find the courage to dispel those negative thoughts once and for all. Violet has the propensity for change, it’s written in cursive right on screen the actions she wishes she could take, but why can’t she? Will she ever?

Justine Bateman – yes, THAT Justine Bateman – writes and directs Violet with a clear and concise vision, this is a STATEMENT. Make no mistake, this film is overflowing with ingenious originality, yet also drips with profound and subtle nods to the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. In order to convey Violet’s various mental states, Bateman uses the many tools in her filmmaking arsenal to illustrate exactly where Violet’s mind is at all times. With a less confident director, these attempts could come across more contrived or exhausting, here they inspire.

At any given moment, we will hear her suffocating inner monologue painting the direness of Violet’s situation, while a warm, heartfelt writing – in cursive no less – simultaneously appears on the screen illuminating Violet’s more deep-seated aspirations, and then we watch as Violet ultimately moves her decision into action. At moments of increasing anxiety or building rage (as when Violet is forced to accept a verbal lashing from her estranged brother or prickish boss), Bateman engulfs the screen in metaphorical red. It is a beautifully orchestrated symphony of emotions.

None of this matters without a leading performance that brings it all together, and Olivia Munn is an absolute revelation. That reads a bit insane since Munn is already an accomplished actor in her own right, and maybe it is due to a distinct lack of opportunities, but her level of range and polish as she swallowed Violet’s personality and self-loathing whole was breathtaking and caught me pleasantly by surprise.

Perhaps because mental health is a topic close to my heart, but Munn simply captured the complexities and complications of everyday situations and pristinely delivered each beat of emotion on point, as well as eloquently conveyed the toxic environment many female professionals have found themselves trapped in for far too long. A wonderful, layered delivery all the way around, and hopefully this will open doors far and wide to Munn’s full potential.

Talk about creativity, Justine Bateman just gave life to that annoying voice in our heads. Led by a powerful performance from Olivia Munn, this is a fantastic take on the importance of self-reflection and mental health in regards to our own internal dialogue. Bateman and Munn both deserve to be in the Oscar conversation next fall, as Violet is already one of the best films of the year.

Follow our further discussion on over 30 film and episodic premieres screened at SXSW 2021 via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast:

Follow our further discussion on Violet via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: