The power-balance in relationships is very much in the spotlight as of late, exposing the physical, mental, and emotional abuse that has been too often hidden from public knowledge.

One of the more vocal proponents of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements is actor and activist Evan Rachel Wood. Wood was most recently seen in February giving an impassioned speech to Congress about her own past as a sexual assault victim and has since become a symbol of feminism and an inspiration for social justice. So, imagine my surprise, to see her propelling the type of disgusting and inappropriate behavior she has personally fought so passionately against in Allure.

The film opens in a dingy motel room where a blindfolded man lays passively on the bed while a woman has aggressive sex with him. Clearly a pay-for-play situation, the woman grows frustrated at his lack of “ability” and tells him to leave. Laura (Evan Rachel Wood) saves her sex work escapades for nighttime as she spends her days working for her father’s company cleaning houses. It is at one of these houses where she meets, and quickly forms an unnatural relationship with, her client’s 16-year-old daughter, Eva (Julia Sarah Stone). Like many teenagers, Eva’s relationship with her mother has become strained after she refuses to move in with her mom’s new boyfriend. Laura, sensing the girl’s vulnerability, convinces Eva to run away with her. Eva agrees, and so begins the unraveling of uncomfortable viewing that is Allure.

The worst part is that the film never condemns this behavior, which I found absurd! Especially in this time of such predator accountability.

Laura is essentially a child abductor, rapist, and a master manipulator (while her age is never specified, she is at least 21- old enough to buy alcohol, own or rent a home, and live alone). Laura keeps Eva hostage in her home and convinces her that they are soul mates. She makes Eva drink alcohol (reminder- she is 16) and entices her to smoke pot. She massages Eva’s shoulders, whispering “just relax”, and “share a bed with me, you’ll be more comfortable.” They do end up sharing a bed and end up having sex.

The worst part is that the film never condemns this behavior, which I found absurd! Especially in this time of such predator accountability. At the end of the film, Laura gets to make peace with herself which is somehow supposed to make up for her perpetually disturbing behavior. And while the film gives Laura a happy ending, one which she clearly doesn’t deserve, the real victim, Eva, never makes peace with her mother, nor finds justice after being held hostage.   

Allure is the directorial debut for Carlos and Jason Sanchez, two brothers whose work has previously been seen in music videos and Canadian advertisements. What is missing here is any kind of female perspective behind the lens. Allure explores the dark side of human behavior, but instead of holding the offender accountable, it plays more like a superficial lesbian film made by men for men. I don’t know who I am more disappointed by– the Sanchez brothers for writing/directing this off-kilter film, or Evan Rachel Wood for taking any part in it.

105 minutes. ‘Allure’ is unrated. Opening this Friday at Arena Cinema and on VOD.