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.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe 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
HighThe 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.
The MPAA rating explicitly mentions 'strong/bloody violent content' and 'gore'. Promotional materials include a 'graphic clip from the set featuring Terrifier franchise star Lauren Lavera being stabbed in the neck!'. The antagonist, Dr. Robert Kezian, performs 'brain surgeries' which are described as 'complete with drilling, cutting, and opening skulls'. The protagonist, Paloma, is also 'brutally assaulted by another would-be target'.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe 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'.
The MPAA rating includes 'sexual assault' and 'some sexual material' as descriptors for its R-rating. CringeMDb.com states that 'Twisted (2026) is NOT SAFE to watch with parents or kids. The movie contains sex scenes and rape or sexual violence'. One review highlights the film as 'an aggressively erotic film, at least in its first stretch, full of steam, sweat, and stylized danger,' where the con is 'built on sexuality, performance, and control'. The lesbian relationship between Paloma and Smith includes 'steamy makeout sessions'.
Profanity
HighThe 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.
The Motion Picture Association assigned an 'R' rating to 'Twisted (2026)' for, among other things, 'language'. This descriptor in an R-rated film often signifies the presence of frequent and explicit curse words, consistent with the film's adult-oriented horror genre.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe 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.
The MPAA rated the film 'R' for its 'strong/bloody violent content, gore, sexual assault, suicide'. The plot involves a con artist's scam unraveling into a 'nightmare when she's captured by a surgeon with a terrifying plan'. Director Darren Lynn Bousman employs 'Dutch angles, tilting frames, and disorienting camera movements that mirror the cracking psyches of its characters' to create tension. The film's producer also stated, 'This movie will be amazing and scare the hell out of audiences worldwide'.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe 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.
The film's synopsis explicitly states that Paloma and Smith are 'con artists' who 'make quick money by leasing incredible New York City apartments they don't own to people who don't know they are being scammed'. Their 'grift built on sexuality, performance, and control' exemplifies manipulative and rebellious behavior against established norms and laws, which eventually results in their 'reckless scheme finally bit[ing] back'.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe 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.
Dr. Kezian, the villain, explicitly states in the trailer, 'I am a surgeon. God prays to me'. He also says, 'A friend of mine told me I can't save the world. I'm trying to prove him wrong. This isn't right. You're playing God'. These statements reflect a character who positions himself in a role reserved for God, demonstrating pride and a rejection of divine authority.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere 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.
The plot focuses on a 'mad surgeon' and 'horrifying medical experiments', emphasizing psychological and body horror rather than supernatural or occult themes. The villain's 'A God Am I' complex is a form of megalomania, not actual divine or demonic power.
Substance Use
LowNo 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.
The MPAA rating and detailed content warnings for 'Twisted (2026)' do not list substance use as a concern. Reviews and synopses also do not mention any instances of characters engaging in or struggling with substance use.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
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.
Additional Notes
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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