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| Emma Roberts, left, and Eiza Gonzalez in "Paradise Hills" / Courtesy of All Star Entertainment |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Sci-fi mystery thriller "Paradise Hills" is underpinned with gender and class commentary, but these ideas are failing to resonate with audiences here due to its convoluted plot and flamboyant imagery.
The film follows a group of women from wealthy families who are sent to a "reform" institution on an island that turns young women into supposedly perfect versions of themselves in two months.
The protagonist Uma (Emma Roberts) is set to marry an arrogant rich man, whom she is not keen on, and wakes up at the institution which Uma later describes as a "fascist boarding school." There she is trained to be a submissive wife.
Uma tries to flee in vain, but is dragged back to the Duchess (Milla Jovovich), a strict headmistress at what she calls a "center for emotional, holistic and sustained healing."
Uma soon makes friends with Chloe (Danielle Macdonald), who is being forced to diet by her rich parents, Yu (Awkwafina), who needs "refinement" after going to live with her wealthy relatives in China and Amarna (Eiza Gonzalez), a pop star who wants to take control of her life against the wishes of her management.
On the island, all the girls must dress in white and attend classes, and engage in light exercise, a personalized diet, beauty makeovers and psychotherapy.
Feeling caged, Uma and her friends attempt to escape from the institution, but during the escape they find out the shocking secret of Paradise Hills.
"I wanted to reflect the story of women coming together to defeat evil rather than women competing with each other," director Alice Waddington said.
As the director intended, "Paradise Hills" discusses how enforced gender roles for women are often repressive and absurd. Although the idea itself is intriguing, some audiences may find it a bit too extreme or outdated.
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| Poster for "Paradise Hills" / Courtesy of All Star Entertainment |
It also suffers from a weak narrative and characterization. Because the story focuses too much on extravagant, odd details about the institution and the island, it results in hasty plot twists and an ambiguous ending.
It lacks a detailed backstory for each character despite revealing how they ended up on the island.
However, one distinguishing feature of the film is its mind-blowing visual elements and colorful costumes.
"Paradise Hills" will hit local theaters March 19.
