If you’ve not heard about the case of convicted paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, then you’ve probably been living under a rock for the last few years. Despite his death before a full case could be made against him, the trial of his close friend Ghislaine Maxwell means he’s back in the news once again. In a world which involved influential clientele, a prince, former Presidents and child trafficking, conspiracy theories soon followed. The Scary of Sixty-First channels these with glee.
Cash-strapped college friends Noelle (Madeline Quinn) and Addie (Betsey Brown) are struggling to find an apartment within their price bracket. So, when a posh duplex on Manhattan’s Upper East Side becomes available, it’s a dream come true. However, there is something not quite right about the building. A mysterious visitor (Dasha Nekrasova) arrives and bewitches Noelle with tales about the house’s sinister past. While Addie loses herself in her own obsession.
The Scary of Sixty-First is a film which is likely to generate strong reactions. Most people will either love it or hate it. This depends on how much licence you’re willing to grant co-writer/director Dasha Nekrasova’s feature debut. It’s either a profound work of contemporary psychological socio-political filmmaking or a muddled and incoherent quasi-student film. Either way, The Scary of Sixty-First is a psychosexual thriller which is certain to live long in the memory.
The Scary of Sixty-First is screening at Los Feliz Cinematheque, LA now and opens at the Quad Cinema, NYC on 17 December. It will expand to more cities on 24 December and be available on Digital in the US.
