Hard Candy

Strikingly filmed and exquisitely performed by its principally two-person cast (Ellen Page, Patrick Wilson), "Hard Candy" is an intense reversal on the Little Red Riding Hood story. Hayley Stark (Page) is a 14-year-old proto-feminist rebel who ensnares 32-year-old fashion photographer/potential child molester Jeff Kohiver (Wilson – "The Alamo") in an online chat room before working Jeff over in a furious castration revenge scenario in the comfort of his California luxury house. Ellen Page is a divine manifestation of intelligent female fury that ups the high watermark set by Abel Ferrara’s exterminating angel revenge fantasy "Ms. 45." British director David Slade announces himself as a master of economy and discrimination by leaving the horror to the audience’s imagination. This movie will make you squirm like you’ve never squirmed before.

Rated R, 99 mins. (A-) (Four Stars)