It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I keep in mind that this movie was released in 1965. But in 1962 Sam Peckinpah did Ride the high Country. So don't tell me that it was another time! After watching the extraordinary performance of Isabelle Adjani in Possession of Andrzej Zulawski (1981), Catherine Deneuve doesn't impress me. The movie is nice, Deneuve is nice, everything is good. It is a nice movie, where we can feel the future work of Roman Polanski, especially in The Tenant (1976). Nice movie, nice direction, nice music, great photography and very fun scenario.

One of Roman Polanski's finer works, this film is an almost perfect blend between Rosemary's Baby and Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Polanski uses this horror element in order to convey a messages of both sexuality and childhood trauma (which is a bit ironic since he raped a child himself) and although it isn't exactly subtle the fluidity of which these messages are conveyed, aided by some truly haunting visuals makes for nothing but a good time.

As I have written in other reviews, I'm generally not a fan of psychological horror because as a genre it moves too slow. This movie is no exception. I had seen it years ago and remembered that I didn't care for it much, but wanted to take another look-see so I rented it from the local library. I didn't like it in many ways this time around either. The story moves mind numbingly slow with much of the film having no dialog - the watcher is just taken along for the ride when Carol, left to her own devices by her sister, gradually starts losing her mind and ultimately becomes completely unhinged. REPULSION picks up towards the end, but getting there was excruciating for me. I had some difficulty connecting with the lead - watching her lose it wasn't pleasant, but her personality was so incredibly reserved and lifeless from the beginning of the film that I really didn't care about her over the long haul. I'm sure portraying her that way was intentional and I'm still somewhat perplexed regarding why that decision was made. I am aware that I am in the minority regarding Catherine Deneuve's depiction of Carol and that many rave reviews were written about her role in this movie. I also found that I had more questions than answers once it ended, maybe as intended, regarding the lead's familial relationships. What happened to cause a beautiful woman to be so fearful and repressed when it came to men and sexual relationships? The answer is hinted at in the last frames, but is never completely disclosed. In addition, I was a bit confused about the lead's sister - how much did she know about Carol's mental state? Did she care?All of that being said, there are some exceptional things about this film from a technical standpoint - the use of light and shadows is magnificent, drawing the viewer in to Carol's demented world and at times, using close ups to make a statement or to have the viewer look at something specific in the frame. The camera work is amazing. In those regards, REPULSION absolutely stands out. Anyone who has an interest in making a black and white film should take a look at this one if for no other reason than this. The soundtrack is also worth noting, and the symbolism and sound effects throughout the film are quite interesting. The ticking of the clock, the cracking walls, the apartment that ends up in total disarray, etc. are all indicative of Carol's mental state. The hallucinations she has are quite surreal and very well done.If you like psychological horror with minimal graphic violence, this film is considered to be a masterpiece by many. In addition, if you want to watch incredible use of light and shadow and enjoy your movies artful and symbolic, this one is a must-see. However, If you like horror films that move along at a fairly quick pace, this one will likely bore you to death.

I recently saw the Criterion edition of this classic. Criterion does such a great job with restoration that it looks as though the movie was filmed with modern equipment. I'm not sure why I read everywhere that this film is disturbing (it's not), but it is claustrophobic and moody...and loud (in some parts, anyway).There's no doubt Catherine Deneuve is a beautiful woman. That was made abundantly clear in 'Repulsion'. Every man that looked at her wanted to tear into her, whether she was conscious or knocked out. Since this film is 51 years old, I'm guessing that, for the time, some of those scenes would've been shocking? There are references to Jean Cocteau, Alfred Hitchcock and, of course, Luis Bunuel's 'Un Chien Andalou'.Is this a film worth seeing? i suppose, but I wish I didn't keep on reading that's a disturbing film. I was hoping to see something unsettling; I did. I've seen scarier behavior from kids at a mall. Well, it is what it is, a classic. Can't fault that.