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Twisted

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Twisted

Twisted (2026) is an R-rated horror-thriller film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, known for his work on the 'Saw' franchise. The movie centers on two millennial con artists, Paloma and Smith, who exploit New York City's real estate market by illegally leasing luxury apartments. Their scheme takes a horrifying turn when their latest target, Dr. Robert Kezian, a brilliant but deranged surgeon, captures one of them, Paloma, and subjects her to terrifying medical experiments. The film is noted for its intense violence, graphic content, and psychological brutality, transitioning from an erotic thriller into body horror. It is designed for mature audiences comfortable with explicit and disturbing themes, focusing on a dark reversal of power dynamics and a morally compromised narrative.

Things to Consider

High5

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The film features two main characters, Paloma and Smith, who are explicitly identified as lesbian con artists and lovers. Their relationship includes 'steamy makeout sessions' which are noted to be presented in a manner catering to the 'male gaze'. The presence of a lesbian couple in central roles contributes to the film's 'aggressively erotic' tone in its initial segments.

The movie introduces Paloma (Lauren LaVera) and Smith (Mia Healey) as a 'duo of lesbian con artists' who are also a 'millennial couple'. Their relationship includes 'steamy makeout sessions'. One review notes that 'Their lesbian romance feels like it's only there for...' serving the 'male gaze'.

Violence

The film is rated R for 'strong/bloody violent content, gore', and features graphic depictions of violence, including medical experiments, stabbings, and severe assault. The director's background in the 'Saw' franchise further indicates an inclination towards unflinching and visceral violence.

Romance and Sexual Content

The movie includes explicit sexual material and themes of sexual violence. The MPAA rating specifically cites 'sexual assault' and 'some sexual material'. Reviews describe the film as 'aggressively erotic' and indicate the presence of 'sex scenes and rape or sexual violence'.

Profanity

The film's R-rating includes 'language' as a descriptor, which in R-rated horror-thriller contexts typically indicates frequent and strong profanity. While specific quotes are not available, the overall tone and genre strongly suggest pervasive use of expletives.

Scary & Intense Content

The film is a psychological horror-thriller with highly intense and frightening content. Its R-rating is partly due to 'strong/bloody violent content, gore, sexual assault, suicide', and the narrative involves a terrifying abduction and gruesome medical experiments. The director's style, honed in the 'Saw' franchise, emphasizes visceral and disorienting experiences for the audience.

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Medium2
Disrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes
Low2
Witchcraft & OccultSubstance Use
Medium2

Disrespect & Rebellion

The central premise revolves around two protagonists who are 'con artists' actively engaging in illegal activities by scamming wealthy individuals out of money for apartments they do not own. This demonstrates a clear pattern of rebellion against legal structures and societal expectations of honesty and integrity.

Anti-Christian Themes

The primary antagonist, Dr. Robert Kezian, exhibits a severe 'God complex', making statements that directly challenge or usurp divine authority. He declares, 'I am a surgeon. God prays to me' and aims to 'save the world' by playing God, which can be interpreted as a direct affront to a Christian worldview.

Low2

Witchcraft & Occult

There is no indication of witchcraft, sorcery, occult rituals, demons, spells, or explicit supernatural elements in the movie's available synopsis or reviews. The horror elements appear to stem from psychological torment and a deranged human antagonist.

Substance Use

No information regarding alcohol consumption, drug use, smoking, or addiction by characters is present in the provided content summaries or reviews. This concern appears to be absent from the film's primary themes and content warnings.

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The film 'Twisted (2026)' presents a profoundly dark and morally ambiguous narrative that contradicts many biblical values. At its core, the story revolves around deception and greed, as protagonists Paloma and Smith engage in a real estate scam, directly opposing biblical principles of honesty and integrity (Proverbs 11:3, Ephesians 4:28). Their pursuit of wealth through illicit means highlights a materialistic worldview where personal gain is prioritized over ethical conduct. Dr. Robert Kezian, the antagonist, embodies a severe 'God complex,' arrogantly proclaiming, 'I am a surgeon. God prays to me' and 'I'm trying to prove him wrong' in his attempts to 'save the world' by playing God. This directly challenges the sovereignty and unique authority of God, presenting a transcendent worldview twisted into human megalomania rather than divine truth (Isaiah 45:5, Romans 9:20). Character morality in 'Twisted' appears to be deeply compromised, with both the con artist protagonists and the 'mad doctor' antagonist engaging in vice. The film's R-rating descriptors, including 'sexual assault' and 'suicide,' suggest a world where evil and suffering are rampant, and moral accountability is questioned or severely distorted. While the narrative involves the con artists' 'reckless scheme finally bit[ing] back', implying some form of consequence, the overall tone of body horror and psychological brutality suggests that virtue is not inherently rewarded, nor is vice consistently punished in a just manner, but rather leads to further depravity and torment. The film seems to revel in the 'messy, nasty experience' rather than offering clear moral guidance or pathways to redemption. Themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and grace, which are central to the Christian faith, are not explicitly evident in the provided synopsis and reviews, which emphasize manipulation, revenge, and extreme violence. Family values are not a focus, and the relationships depicted (e.g., the lesbian relationship between Paloma and Smith, and Dr. Kezian's motivations stemming from his late wife's death) seem to serve the dark, erotic, and horror elements of the plot rather than affirming traditional familial structures or love as defined biblically. Faith representation, through Dr. Kezian's pronouncements, is shown disrespectfully and as a perversion of divine power, rather than a source of genuine hope or moral guidance. The film appears to present a relativistic worldview where characters are driven by self-interest, obsession, and a struggle for power, ultimately leading to a grim and unsettling experience for the audience.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Not recommended for anyone under 17 due to pervasive strong/bloody violent content, explicit gore, disturbing sexual assault and sexual material, references to suicide, and frequent strong language. This film contains mature and potentially traumatic themes.

Good to Know

The film is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, known for his work in the 'Saw' franchise, and its tone evolves from an erotic thriller to body horror. The movie utilizes stylistic elements like shifting aspect ratios and disorienting camera movements to enhance the psychological experience. It is explicitly noted for its 'unflinching violence and moral complexity'.

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