Personal Shopper – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

When it comes to limited release movies, there is always the question of if they are worth the extra cash required to see them. To go to NY to see a film like this, it almost costs as much as the actual ticket. But with it coming locally, and me being a Kristen Stewart fan, I decided to check this film out. But now I kind of wish I pretended it didn’t exist like Equals.

Characters & Storyline

It has been about 3 months since Maureen’s (Kristen Stewart) twin brother died from a heart attack. Since then, she has been waiting for a sign from him to know whether or not the afterlife exists. It is something they promised each other – whoever dies first will tell the living twin if there is an afterlife. However, she isn’t getting the answers she wants. In fact, it seems what she is getting is a completely different being communicating with her. One she can’t get to leave her alone.

On The Fence

Stewart Pushes The Idea Her Talent Could Be Used For A Better Crafted Movie

While I am not the type to say Stewart is one of the best actresses of this up and coming generation, I do believe her name should be part of the conversation. It is just, the problem with her is that her choices often are safe in terms of how much she personally has to adapt to the character but also asinine since she often chooses polarizing films. This one likely to be one of them for it has a very art house film vibe, just with ghost special effects you’d expect in a low budget horror movie.

Yet, Stewart gives the situation some authenticity. I’d even argue she sort of tries to crack her shell and open herself up a bit. Now, I won’t say her performance in this is like Anesthesia or Camp X-Ray, but I do believe with us seeing Stewart in fear, sexualized, and more, this project could be seen as her attempt at expanding her horizons. For, unfortunately, Twilight still hangs over her head and being that her interviews are extremely awkward, and not in a funny way like Aubrey Plaza, it does sometimes seem she is pigeonholed. So between this and Café Society, one could argue she is trying to open up people’s minds about who and what she can play and do. Something you sort of get to see in this film.

You May Constantly Feel Like You Are Waiting For Something To Happen

Me being a loyal fan who is trying to put a positive spin on this aside, I should note that this film won’t be for everyone. It is a weird mix of Maureen ghost hunting while she is looking for clothes for her employer. Now, the ghost hunting part, in which Maureen is trying to communicate with her brother, that was kind of interesting. It doesn’t really go anywhere but, until that becomes clear, you anticipate either her brother saying or doing something, if not this other ghost who seems to take an interest in her.

In fact, there is this storyline where you want to believe that maybe this ghost figured out a way to text Maureen and is haunting her through technology. Yeah, I know that doesn’t make any damn sense but this is an indie film. The reason they don’t have big budgets is because they don’t have some sort of commercial aspect which is an easy sell.

Yet, unfortunately, that whole angle deals with something else. A topic I won’t go into since it leads to the one shocking moment which may wake you up if you choose to see this movie. That is assuming you can sleep through the iMessage bings which, to be honest, were sometimes the only thing which kept me from nodding off.

Overall: Negative (Skip It)

While still very much loyal, and my faith unwavering, I gotta admit, for all the praise people are giving it, it honestly must be that this is a movie for critics, art house lovers, and bougie film goers. As for a general movie goer, like I consider myself, I struggled to be entertained. I mean, I made it through the film because I enjoy Kristen Stewart’s work. However, for someone indifferent about her or who just doesn’t get her appeal, I don’t think they’ll get anything out of this.

Hence the Negative label for I can’t justify labeling a movie as mixed when I was nodding off during it.