Elisabeth Moss delivers one of her best performances in Her Smell, Director Alex Ross Perry’s newest film, which premiered at the 2018 New York Film Festival.
Playing punk rocker Becky Something, a character who is struggling to overcome addiction, Moss is challenged in a role, unlike ones she’s played before. The movie is set across four major scenes. Mostly filmed in dark settings with edgy cinematics, the direction makes viewers feel in-the-moment with Moss as her character unravels. Becky has continuous anxiety about her and explodes with rage at random moments, making it hard for viewers to look away and wonder what her next move would be.
Audiences can take Becky’s experiences and relate to her on different levels. Her bandmates played by Agyness Deyn (Hard Sun) and Gayle Rankin (GLOW), have desperately tried to rescue and work with her but seem to be giving up on her, which comes across in intimate performances.
In the opening scene, Becky is seen backstage, post-concert, dabbling in spiritual healing, taking drugs, and toxically unwinding, leaving her child at risk with degenerative behavior. When will Becky learn? The audience wonders if having a child on her arm will motivate her to change her ways.
The scenes continue to Becky’s struggle as she tries to explore new sounds and record new songs. Her band is at a loss and the competition of other younger bands coming on to the scene leave Becky nervous. Actress Cara Delevingne (Paper Towns) and Ashley Benson (Pretty Little Liars) are cast as bandmates from another rising group, signed by Becky’s manager, and played by Eric Stoltz (Madam Secretary).
Moss enters her most vulnerable space for Becky as she confronts her mother (Virginia Madsen) in another fiery backstage performance.
Her Smell is full of thrilling imagery and delivers alluring scenes that keep viewers intrigued and tantalized from beginning to end.
