When the first trailer for director Paul Verhoeven's thriller ELLE appeared online at the beginning of the year, our own Eric Walkuski wondered where the usual Verhoeven subversiveness and bleak humor was. It may not have been present in that trailer, but the one that has been cut together for the film's U.S. release proves that there is definitely subversiveness and bleak humor within the movie itself.
Based on Phillipe Djian's novel Oh… and scripted by David Birke, ELLE has the following synopsis:
Michèle seems indestructible. Head of a leading video game company, she brings the same ruthless attitude to her love life as to business. Being attacked in her home by an unknown assailant changes Michèle's life forever. When she resolutely tracks the man down, they are both drawn into a curious and thrilling game-a game that may, at any moment, spiral out of control.
Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virgine Aefira, Judith Magre, Christian Berkel, Jonas Bloquet, Alice Isaaz, and Vimila Pons star.
There have been a lot of rape/revenge movies made over the decades, but it looks like Verhoeven has crafted a very unique one with ELLE. The film will be making its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival later this month, with a New York and Los Angeles theatrical release scheduled for November 11th.