Frightfest 2022: ‘Midnight Peepshow’ Review
Stars: Richard Cotton, Roisin Browne, David Wayman, Ocean M Harris, Miki Davis, Zach Galligan, Jack Fairbank, Jamie Bacon, Derek Nelson, Sarah Diamond, Ryan Oliva, Bethan Walker | Written by Andy Edwards, Airell Anthony Hayles, Jake West | Directed by Andy Edwards, Airell Anthony Hayles, Ludovica Musumeci, Jake West
British horror cinema has a long-standing tradition of producing some of the best anthologies of all time, in particular in the era of Hammer, Tigon et al. So when a new anthology comes along it can be hard to separate it from history and tradition. But with Midnight Peepshow, filmmakers Andy Edwards, Airell Anthony Hayles, Ludovica Musumeci and Jake West actually tap into British cinematic history, setting their film in the formerly sleazy streets of London’s Soho – a place where, once upon a time, sex and cinema were often intertwined.
The film opens with the traditional wraparound, with drunk businessman Graham (Richard Cotton), fresh off getting robbed and meeting his friend in the Soho Hotel – where they discuss the “Black Rabbit” and the dark web rather than the business they were in town for – stumbles across the titular peepshow where, for a measly £2, he can watch girls dance and strip for his pleasure. Yeah, that’s not going to happen is it?
Nope, instead the girls proceed to regale Graham with their stories. Stories that are tailor-made to its customers deepest desires, fears and sins… And Graham has got some particular nasty secrets in his closet!
First up is Alice (Roisin Browne), who tells Graham the story of the time the home she shared with her husband David (David Wayman) was subject to a home invasion. Only all is not what it seems for the seeming put-upon Alice, who argues with her husband about his overbearing control of her and their relationship but in reality, is trying to get back control herself. Packed with twists, turns and ulterior motives galore, this first segment – directed by Airell Anthony Hayles – sets the bar high for the two segments that are to follow.
Speaking of which, our second segment comes from dancer Helen (Miki Davis) and, if you can believe it, is more twisted than the first. However given how sleazy Graphic Designs (aka Graphic Desires) was, also helmed by Andy Edwards, then that’s something to be expected. Helen’s story is that of a twisted game of “F**k, Marry, Kill” played on Helen and three men from her past by the aforementioned Black Rabbit. Only, much like the first story, the Black Rabbit is not responsible for the events of this story – they are merely the facilitator of other people’s wants and desires.
The final story in this portmanteau of perversion comes from director Jake West (Evil Aliens, Doghouse) and once again focuses on Graham. Set a year prior to the wraparound story, it follows Graham’s younger wife Isabel (Sarah Diamond), who signs up to the Black Rabbit website and is instructed that she can only have sex with her husband if he pays her! This leads to some of the best sex she’s ever had with Graham but it also leads to the Black Rabbit taking control of her life and her relationship. But as with anything bunny-related, there’s a rabbit hole waiting to go down… and Isabel, or “Jezebel” as she calls herself in this new sexually-driven persona, is more than ready to jump in feet first. And like the other stories in Midnight Peepshow her curiosity has consequences!
Set on Valentine’s Day, Midnight Peepshow is a very bleak, very twisted look at love, sex and relationships; in a film that gets darker and more perverted as it goes on, ending with a brilliant morally nihilistic conclusion. A conclusion that speaks not only to the film but also to the current socio-political climate, where the rich get richer off the backs of others – their suffering, their torment – without so much as a consideration for their actions or the consequences thereof. Something Graham will ultimately come to know a lot about…
***** 5/5
Midnight Peepshow screened as part of this year’s Arrow Video London Frightfest.
