Healed is a queer indie creeper that’s a total keeper. You can thank Abeydeera’s dynamite screenplay, which marks her killer feature-length debut. I usually don’t drift to thrillers as they can be a little light on character-building as they lean into the dire situation. Abeydeera delivers fully fleshed participants rich in history and idiosyncrasy, dense enough to result in a darker drama instead of a penny pulse pounder. The script has a depth of detail and emotional insight that can only come from some of the writer’s entwinement.
I also applaud the early reveal that Turner is up to something instead of taking a slow-burn approach. By doing this, Abeydeera works in the sense of dread, creating a clammy film over everything that tightens as it works its way to flat-out horror territory. Healed follows in the tradition of the 70s medical horror pictures like Coma, as well as a neon climax that gives off a noticeable Looker vibe. By getting you emotionally involved with her characters, Abeydeera shows the viewer how there are many graver things to fear in a movie other than a body count.
“The acting work here is of a much higher caliber than you will find in most other movies.”
While the queer factor is fundamental to the structure, this shouldn’t mean the film should be pigeonholed as having LGBTQ+ appeal only. Director Weinstein’s intent here doesn’t so much preach to the choir as instead scare the singing s**t out of it. This movie has the kind of venomous moves any suspense fan would savor.
The acting work here is of much higher caliber than you will find in most other movies. Abeydeera is perfect in the role she wrote for herself, allowing a full view of the heights of her talent. This should come as no surprise, as I keep saying actresses must write their own material. The resulting stories are fresher and more interesting, resulting in recent gems like The Madeleines. Am I now insinuating that actresses who are also screenwriters have more insight as to getting the lines to light up? No, I am flat-out declaring it. Of course, Turner is the OG in that game, as she was a pioneer of indie queer cinema in the 90s by writing and starring in the groundbreaking Go Fish.
It was a masterstroke on Weinstein’s part to have one of the screenwriters of American Psycho play the villain. Turner lets the evil slowly form and ooze out like droplets on a drinking glass. Her work here and in Candyland shows Turner is already a superstar and is waiting for the rest of us to catch up. Goss gives an undeniably incredible performance, as she has the trickiest tasks with Olivia’s altered perspectives. Goss is wonderful when the movie needs a stretch of tenderness to threaten. The chemistry between her and Abeydeera is as strong and complex as an acid flashback, turning the air a bright shade of beautiful. This is the kind of indie wonder that is sure to change your body temperature a few happy notches. Healed is a superior high-kicking tingler that will shiver you to the core.
For screening information, visit the Healed webpage.
"…has the kind of venomous moves any suspense fan would savor."
