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Boxing Helena (1992)
This 1992 psychological thriller's got some serious edge - we're talkin' Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in a dark, twisted tale of obsession and control. You'll be questioning what's real and what's just Helena's messed-up mind playing tricks on her. Not for the faint of heart, this cult classic's a wild ride that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.
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Obsession in a Box: A Chilling Tale of Love and Desperation
summarizeEditor's Summary
I stumbled upon 'Elena in the Box' while searching for movies like 'The Skin I Live In'. This film's got a unique, albeit disturbing, take on eroticism that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot's all about Nic, a successful surgeon consumed by his all-consuming love for Elena. His actions are downright terrifying, and the true horror isn't the graphic violence - it's the psychological state of the doctor. Watching him was a wild ride, and the film's themes of obsession and love are thought-provoking. The cinematography's stunning, with a focus on the main character's mansion, and the soundtracks are hauntingly beautiful. But be warned: the film's graphic violence may be off-putting for some viewers, and the pacing can be slow at times.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
Kalite8/10
Görünüm9/10
Dramatiklik7/10
I stumbled upon 'Elena in the Box' while searching for movies similar to 'The Skin I Live In' with Antonio Banderas. It turns out this one's an oldie from 1993. The films aren't similar, but they do share one thing in common - an unhealthy obsession with someone else.
I read the film's description, which supposedly breaks down the entire plot. Almost right from the start, the surgeon chops off the limbs of the girl he's obsessed with. However, it's not the main event.
Summary:
Nic, a talented surgeon, is consumed by his all-consuming love for Elena. He lures her to his luxurious mansion, hoping to win her back, but she escapes and gets run over by a car. Nic saves her life in his home operating room, but in the process, he chops off her legs. And then her arms...
After reading the summary, I was skeptical - I thought it was a horror movie, not a drama. But the true horror wasn't the chopping off of limbs; it was the psychological state of the doctor. Watching him was downright terrifying.
Nic is a successful surgeon - handsome, athletic, and wealthy. He's got admirers, but they don't interest him. He's head over heels for Elena, who's the complete opposite of him. Nic's a complex guy with a lot of emotional baggage from his childhood. And, as usual, his mom's to blame...
Elena's the unattainable dream of Nic's. She's beautiful, young, and free. Elena's got a captivating energy. Not just her looks, although she's stunning - there are plenty of beautiful women out there. But Elena stands out with an inner strength and a wild self-assurance. I think Nic fell for her not just because she reminded him of his mom, but also because she had something he lacked - confidence and self-control.
What drew me to this movie initially was its sleek design. But, in reality, it's not just about looks. The real test comes when you're faced with a situation where you have to make a tough decision. In my case, I had to choose between saving someone's life and potentially losing my own. It was a no-brainer, really.
Movie stills: Elena in a box
The movie is visually stunning. It starts off slow and calm, with beautiful actors, a lavish mansion, and all the trappings of high society. But, as the story unfolds, you realize that nothing is as it seems.
There's also a healthy dose of eroticism, but it's not over the top. The scenes are tastefully done, and the music by Enigma adds to the sensuality. There are a few scenes with partial nudity, but they're not gratuitous.
At its core, this is a movie about two actors in one location. The entire story takes place in one house, and the characters are limited to just two. But, despite the simplicity, the tension builds up to a thrilling climax. You're left wondering if Elena will escape her captor or fall in love with him. Or, worse still, if he'll do something horrific to her. It's a wild ride, to say the least.
A Look Back at Elena in a Box (1993) - My ThoughtsOne thing that caught me off guard was the lack of graphic violence or dismemberment in the film. So, I'd say it's not a bad movie, but more of a beautiful and melodic one. However, as the story unfolds, it starts to feel a bit like art house, and the ending is completely unpredictable.
Elena in a Box (1993)While I was expecting a different ending, this one really threw me for a loop.
The only thing that really bothered me about the movie is that I didn't find any likable characters. I just couldn't connect with anyone. Elena is a victim, but she doesn't evoke any sympathy from me. She's portrayed as a selfish, self-centered girl who's obsessed with casual relationships.
I think Elena's character was underdeveloped. We see Nic's backstory, and we understand why he became the way he is. But Elena's past is just glossed over. She's just this promiscuous woman without any real depth or history.
As a result, I didn't feel any pity for her. It's actually kind of disturbing to watch what Nic did to her, but I didn't feel any emotional connection. In some moments, I even found her annoying.
Nic isn't likable either. He had a tough childhood, and his mom didn't exactly show him love and care. But, that's not an excuse for becoming a psychopath. He's a stalker from the very beginning, following Elena everywhere and watching her. That's not love; that's a serious psychological disorder.
Elena in a Box - ReviewThere were moments where I felt a little bad for the surgeon, and even wondered if his secret would be discovered. But then I realized how absurd and twisted he was, and the actor did an amazing job of bringing that to life. He really made me feel uncomfortable with his character's sleazy nature.
Anyway, I didn't feel any sympathy for anyone, except maybe for the girl Nikka. I guess she was the only one who seemed to care about him. Yeah, he even had a girlfriend - a beautiful woman, no less. But, you know, she was already available to him, so she wasn't really interesting to him.
Watching the movie was definitely interesting, even if it wasn't super action-packed. It was actually quite tense, and the visuals and soundtrack were great. The characters were well-developed, and the story was memorable. 'Elena in a Box' is one of those movies that will stick with you forever - it's like a mix of 'wow, that's beautiful' and 'ugh, that's disgusting.' While it was engaging, I didn't feel the need to watch it again.
The pros and cons:
+
Beautiful actors
+
Unique storyline
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Unpredictable ending
+
No gory scenes
+
Beautiful erotic scenes
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Characters weren't well-developed
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No positive heroes
What else to watch:
Another weird movie about a wind-up girl
Deep dive
Jim Carrey vampire
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is Elena in the Box a horror movie or a drama?
While the film does contain graphic violence, it's ultimately a drama that explores the psychological state of the main character.
What's the main plot of Elena in the Box?
The film follows Nic, a successful surgeon, who becomes consumed by his love for Elena. He goes to great lengths to win her back, including performing graphic surgeries on her.
Is Elena in the Box based on a true story?
No, the film is a work of fiction and not based on any real events or people.
Who stars in Elena in the Box?
The lead actor delivers a standout performance as Nic, the main character.
What's the tone of Elena in the Box?
The film has a dark, atmospheric tone that's both captivating and disturbing.
Is Elena in the Box suitable for all audiences?
No, the film contains graphic violence and mature themes that may not be suitable for all viewers.
What's the runtime of Elena in the Box?
The film's runtime is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Is Elena in the Box available to stream?
Yes, the film is available to stream on various platforms.
check_circlePros
- •The film's got a beautiful, albeit disturbing, take on eroticism.
- •The storyline's original and will keep you guessing.
- •The soundtracks are hauntingly beautiful and add to the overall atmosphere.
- •The acting's top-notch, especially from the lead actor.
- •The film's themes of obsession and love are thought-provoking.
- •The cinematography's stunning, with a focus on the main character's mansion.
- •The film's got a unique, atmospheric tone that's both captivating and disturbing.
- •The lead actor delivers a standout performance as Nic, the main character.
cancelCons
- •The title doesn't quite live up to the film's content.
- •The film's graphic violence may be off-putting for some viewers.
- •The pacing can be a bit slow at times.
- •Some viewers may find the film's themes and content disturbing.
- •The film's ending is somewhat abrupt.
- •The supporting characters feel somewhat one-dimensional.
