Two friends (Nocturna Devilyne and Kalendula Tiger) return home after a day out together. Soon after, the two women are met by a pair of sociopaths (Apostoly Peter Kouroumalis and Rick Trembles). The two women must fight for their lives, and their story of survival is one for the books. Murder Cum expresses the harsh reality of things that occur on a regular basis in our twisted world, and this unique look at murder and survival is visceral and heartbreaking.
Years ago I had a conversation with a colleague of mine and the students in our class. We talked about how the students’ obsession with Youtube, Instagram, etc. is desensitizing them to the realities of the world. They come in contact with sex, drugs, and just about anything else they want with just the click of a button, and as a result their reactions to the things that occur in the real world are often inappropriate. There’s a line in Murder Cum that expresses the fact that murder is cheap, and that it can be seen anywhere. It’s true, and the accessibility of just about anything and everything is skewing the way in which we view and react to the real world. This idea of desensitizing is present in the narrative of Murder Cum as well, and it expresses the role that violence and sex play in our everyday lives. What’s worse is that it expresses to the world that there’s essentially nothing we can do about it, and things will likely get worse.
In the grand scheme of things, I’m not sure that the aforementioned issue was one that Writer-Director Kouroumalis intended for his film or his viewers–but the sentiment exists regardless. Beyond that, however, I think that Kouroumalis wants to reach his viewers and express to his viewers that the simple, unapologetic violence that occurs each and every day just isn’t acceptable. He expresses this sentiment so well, and he employs it by way of ironic sexual activity.
At first glance the visuals appear to be nothing more than a series of nonsensical, meandering images and short clips pieced together in order to create something akin to cohesion. The visuals are wild, scattered, and difficult to follow. However, after further evaluation, it becomes clear that the visuals are representative of the twisted reality that Kouroumalis is attempting to depict. Murder Cum is a series of images and short scenes layered on top of one another–and that works two-fold for the film. Firstly, it works to create somewhat of a convoluted and uncomfortable feeling that transcends the entirety of the film, but on the other hand it adds dimension to what viewers are seeing depicted on screen. That dimension, and the added meaning, strengthens the film as a whole, but more importantly it helps to develop the characters. Those sociopaths that have little background grow as a result of the constant layering done to create Murder Cum.
A score can play such a pivotal role in a film’s development and reception. The deafening score present throughout Murder Cum is scary, disorienting, and it keeps perfectly in tune with the film and what Kouroumalis is attempting to convey. With how creepy the score is, it actually becomes quite entertaining, full of life, and it helps to guide Murder Cum.
Murder Cum seems to be an attempt by Kouroumalis to express to viewers that the sad realities that the world faces each and every day need to come to an end. The unique nature of the film is riveting, the sexual aspect is intriguing, and the overall film captures the essence of the twisted world in which we live–creating a connection between viewers and Murder Cum. Kouroumalis does it again with a screwed up, experimental look at life.
Written & Directed by Apostoly Peter Kouroumalis.
Starring Nocturna Devilyne, Apostoly Peter Kouroumalis, Kalendula Tiger, & Rick Trembles.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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