Hypnotic Journey Through the Mind of a Battered Woman, ‘The Id’ is a Must (Review)

Written by: Matt Molgaard

Directed by: Thommy Hutson

Cast: Amanda Wyss, Patrick Peduto

Thommy Hutson’s psychological piece, The Id is loaded with creepy imagery, astounding performances and even a little murder. But it isn’t the kind of film that’s going to work for everyone. In 2016 there are a staggering number of younger viewers who crave nothing but hi-speed intensity, graphic gore and elaborate setups and camera work. The Id offers none of that, but it does offer clean cinematography and a look at the human psyche and what a truly tormented soul looks like. For older folk like myself, this is horror in a perfect state.

Plot details will be scarce, coming from me, but it’s important that you have a general idea of the film’s narrative. See, Meridith Lane has been taking care of her ailing father for years. He’s all but useless, spending his time on the couch, or eating food prepared for him, or being bathed by his daughter. He does essentially nothing, and the fact that he’s so unproductive seems to bring out the vile bastard in him. He spends his time hurling insults at Meridith, degrading her at every opportunity. And it wears on Meridith, to a tremendous degree. The more verbal abuse she endures, the deeper she slides from reality. But can she regain her self-esteem, and find herself once more to free herself from cruel confines?

Over the years I’ve only seen a few projects to feature Amanda Wyss, who most will recognize as Tina from Wes Craven’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street. And seeing her in this film, with the weight of the entire tale on her shoulders, she proves to be a stunning, multi-faceted performer. This is quite literally the kind of performance that wins awards and leaves an irrefutable mark on a professional’s ledger. This is career defining work, and that’s tough to absorb knowing how good she was years ago, as a mere child in the first Nightmare film. But believe this: Amanda Wyss is a genius in front of the camera (she still looks great, by the way) who can do it all; I’d love to see her in a few more high profile pictures.

While The Id may not appeal to everyone, those who find human detachment from everything around them fascinating will most certainly be unnerved. One couldn’t possibly ask for superior performances, and the pacing of the film, right up and beyond the horrific crescendo, is absolutely electrifying. The Id is a hypnotic journey through the mind of a battered woman, and that journey is going to leave plenty of viewers in stunned silence as the picture comes to a close.

The Id gets an emphatic recommendation from me!

Rating: 4/5