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The Stylist
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The Stylist
Official release poster
Directed byJill Gevargizian
Written by
  • Jill Gevargizian
  • Eric Havens
  • Eric Stolze
Produced by
  • Jill Gevargizian
  • Robert Patrick Stern
  • Sarah Sharp
Starring
CinematographyRobert Patrick Stern
Edited byJohn Pata
Music byNicholas Elert
Production
companies
  • Sixx Tape
  • Claw Productions
  • Method Media
  • The Line Film Company
Distributed byArrow Films
Release dates
  • September 25, 2020 (2020-09-25) (Fantastic Fest)
  • March 1, 2021 (2021-03-01) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Stylist is a 2020 American horror drama film produced, co-written and directed by Jill Gevargizian. The film is based on the director's short film of the same name and stars Najarra Townsend and Brea Grant.[1] The film premiered at the 2020 Fantastic Fest.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Claire, a lonely hairdresser based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a murderer who discreetly kills and scalps her clients, storing their scalps in her cellar as a way to cope with feelings of self-loathing. Her friend Olivia asks Claire to do her hair for her upcoming wedding, which Claire agrees to.[3] Claire tries to fit in with Olivia's friends, but is mocked for being socially awkward. After several failed attempts at suppressing her deadly urges, Claire finally gives in and murders Olivia. She then puts on Olivia's scalped hair and dress, and walks down the aisle pretending to be her. When the groom unveils her, he panics and the audience runs away in terror. Claire stays alone in the church crying, because even with Olivia's scalp, she can't get what she wanted.

Cast

[edit]
  • Najarra Townsend as Claire
  • Brea Grant as Olivia
  • Davis DeRock as Charlie
  • Sarah McGuire as Dawn
  • Jennifer Seward as Sarah
  • Millie Milan as Monique
  • Kimberly Igla as Rose
  • Laura Kirk as Frankie
  • Chelsea Brown as Chelsea
  • Bety Le as Christie
  • Kelsey Nicholes as Elizabeth

Release

[edit]

The Stylist premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 25, 2020,[4] and was subsequently screened at the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival on February 5, 2021,[5] as well as screening in a Narrative Feature Competition at the Florida Film Festival in April 2021.[6]

The film was released on Arrow, Arrow Films' streaming platform, on March 1, 2021, in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.[7] On June 8, 2021, it was released on Blu-ray, DVD, and video on demand platforms via Arrow Video.[8][9] The Blu-ray version features a short film titled "The Stylist" (which was director's short film in 2016) and a new short "Pity" and "The Invisible Woman", a visual essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.[10] It also includes behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes, and location scouting.[11]

Reception

[edit]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film has a score of 90% based on reviews from 40 critics, with an average rating of 7.3/10 rating. The website's critics consensus reads, "A slasher with flair and crafty patience for the kill, The Stylist marks writer-director Jill Gevargizian as an uncommonly sharp genre filmmaker."[12]

Not all critics reviewed the film positively. According to The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw, who gave the film one star out of five, "The acting and directing are entirely terrible, the editing and pacing are so sluggish you’ll feel as if you’re going into a persistent vegetative state, the plot is tiresomely unthought-through ... and the musical score is so pointless and undifferentiated it sounds like elevator muzak."[13]

Starburst's Andrew Pollard called The Stylist "a brilliant movie",[14] while Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times described the film as a "treat for the eyes, making great use of color, lighting and women's fashions to create a world where attractive surfaces mask something ugly."[15]

Kristy Strouse of Film Inquiry wrote, "The Stylist has everything one can want from a horror film; a talented female lead, lots of chills and bloody enticements, and a wickedly impressive style".[16]

Simon Rother of The Horror News Network wrote, "The Stylist is nonetheless an interesting film that portrays the life of an extreme introvert who has difficulty coping with the social world, all while concealing a disturbing hobby and obsession".[17]

Kat Hughes of The Hollywood News praised the film for its "[i]nherently feminine, gorgeously shot and styled [visuals]", as well as "[its] killer performances, sticky scalping's, and costumes to die for".[18]

According to Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting, "Gevargizian demonstrates a strong, clear vision for her sympathetic psychopath, and The Stylist presents as one of the more sophisticated depictions of a burgeoning serial killer".[19]

Following film's screening at the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival, Erin Grant of the Fear Forever wrote "The Stylist is an incredibly insightful slasher with the right mix of sincerity and comedy".[20]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Stylist

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Stylist is a American independent horror written, produced, and directed by Jill Gevargizian, expanding on her 2016 short of the same name. The story centers on Claire, a reclusive hairstylist portrayed by Najarra Townsend, who harbors a dark secret as a collecting the scalps of her clients, and becomes dangerously fixated on her friend and client Olivia () as she prepares for her wedding. With a runtime of 105 minutes, the blends elements with , examining themes of , obsession, and the blurred lines between admiration and violence. Gevargizian co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Havens and Eric Stolze, drawing from the original short's exploration of a stylist's impulses to create a feature-length narrative that premiered at the in October 2020, where it earned a nomination for the New Visions Award for Best Motion Picture. Produced on a modest budget by Sixx Tape, Claw Productions, Method Media, and The Line Film Company, the movie was shot in , utilizing local talent and emphasizing practical effects for its gruesome sequences. Key supporting roles include Davis DeRock as Charlie, Olivia's fiancé, alongside an ensemble of character actors that highlight the intimate, character-driven storytelling. The film received its wide streaming release on March 1, 2021, through platforms like and , garnering critical acclaim for its atmospheric tension and Townsend's nuanced performance as a deeply disturbed anti-heroine. Critics praised its fresh take on the trope from a female perspective, with a 93% approval rating on based on 42 reviews, though audience scores were more divided at 42%, often citing its slow-burn pace and unsettling ambiguity. The Stylist has since been recognized for elevating Gevargizian's profile in the indie horror scene, influencing discussions on and female rage in genre cinema.

Background and Development

Origin from Short Film

The 2016 short film The Stylist, directed by Jill Gevargizian, is a 15-minute horror-drama that centers on Claire, a isolated hairstylist portrayed by Najarra Townsend, whose profound loneliness drives her to murder a client and scalp her in a desperate bid to assume her identity. The short garnered significant acclaim on the festival circuit, winning over 20 awards worldwide, including the Jury Award and Audience Choice Award at Etheria Film Night 2016, where it premiered after being selected from more than 1,000 submissions. It also received recognition through screenings at events like the Horror Film Festival, generating buzz that sparked interest in adapting the concept into a feature-length project. Gevargizian, who had built her career through prior short films, conceived the short as a proof-of-concept for a larger , motivated by a desire to delve deeper into Claire's psyche beyond the constraints of the runtime. She aimed to expand the exploration of psychological themes such as isolation, obsession, and the search for humanity in monstrous figures, transforming into and madness. This adaptation preserved key creative elements from the short, including the core premise of a hairstylist who collects victims' scalps to escape her unfulfilling life, as well as Townsend's return in the lead role to maintain continuity in the character's portrayal.

Writing and Pre-production

The for The Stylist was co-written by director Jill Gevargizian, Eric Havens, and Eric Stolze, with Gevargizian leading the effort as the primary creative force. Havens, who had previously collaborated with Gevargizian on the 2016 short film that served as the basis, contributed multiple drafts over several years, while Stolze provided a pivotal revision that sharpened the narrative's horror elements and clarified the intended themes. The expansion process transformed the short film's concise single-kill concept into a 105-minute feature exploring Claire's serial murders, her deep-seated loneliness and backstory, and a climactic confrontation with her friend Olivia during a . This evolution, which took approximately three years from 2015 to 2018, allowed for a more psychological depth, drawing on influences like May and to depict Claire's obsessive descent without resorting to camp. Development of the feature was formally announced in April 2018, when story rights were acquired and the script began crafting in earnest. As an independent production, it was funded through a 2019 campaign that raised $61,580, supplemented by private investors, under the banners of Gevargizian's Sixx Tape and collaborator Claw Productions. Pre-production emphasized location scouting in , selected to evoke the isolation of Midwestern suburban life and leverage local talent. Conceptual planning focused on key horror motifs, such as Claire's ritualistic scalp collection as a means of emotional solace and her gradual imitation of Olivia's identity, reinforced through contrasting color palettes—warm tones for Claire's lair and cooler hues for Olivia—to heighten psychological tension.

Production

Casting

The lead role of Claire was reprised by Najarra Townsend from director Jill Gevargizian's 2016 of the same name, having first been cast after the two met at the 2013 premiere of Townsend's indie horror Contracted. Townsend was selected for her nuanced performance in the short, which captured Claire's quiet menace and underlying vulnerability, qualities essential to expanding the character for the feature. Brea Grant was cast in the key supporting role of Olivia, Claire's friend and a foil to her isolation, leveraging Grant's established talent in independent cinema to deepen the obsession dynamic between the women. Grant, a longtime acquaintance of Townsend, brought an intelligent, contrasting energy to the part, emphasizing emotional layers over overt horror tropes. The remaining principal cast included Davis DeRock as Charlie, Sarah McGuire as Dawn Nelson, and Jennifer Seward as Sarah, drawn from actors with backgrounds in independent horror productions to maintain the film's grounded, intimate scale. Director Gevargizian prioritized a female-led ensemble in casting to probe gendered themes of desire and disconnection, with selections favoring performers capable of subtle psychological depth rather than high-profile names. This approach built directly on the short film's tone, ensuring the feature's horror emerged from character intimacy.

Filming

for The Stylist took place over 19 days in , wrapping just before the began in March 2020. As an independent production funded primarily through a campaign that raised $61,581—exceeding its $46,500 goal—with additional private investments, the shoot emphasized local talent, including over 100 Kansas City extras and crew members. Key locations included a working salon where director Jill Gevargizian herself was employed, filmed at night to avoid disrupting daily operations; Claire's home to convey intimate domestic spaces; and wedding venues such as local spots like Record Bar and Pilgrim Chapel, which heightened the film's sense of claustrophobic everyday life. Practical effects were central to the gore, particularly in scalping sequences, crafted by makeup artist Colleen May using wigs, bald caps, fake skin, and blood tubes after months of preparation; these were shot over three intensive days, with the opening scalping scene completed in one. Gevargizian, also known as Jill Sixx, directed with a focus on slow-burn tension, employing long takes—some lasting 3–4 minutes—split-screens, and zooms to immerse viewers in Claire's distorted perspective. Robert Patrick Stern complemented this with vibrant color palettes of reds, yellows, and oranges contrasting cooler real-world tones, alongside extreme close-ups on , faces, and hands (using Sarah Sharp for precision) to evoke mundane horror. Low-budget constraints necessitated a guerrilla-style approach, with challenges like maintaining continuity in busy salon scenes amid unpredictable prosthetics and blood effects requiring multiple takes. In , editing prioritized psychological pacing, blending thriller-like methodical builds with abrupt horror bursts to mirror Claire's calculated demeanor, though detailed post-work remained limited due to the indie scale.

Synopsis and Themes

Plot Summary

The Stylist follows Claire (Najarra Townsend), a reclusive hairstylist in Kansas City whose professional life masks a deeply isolated existence marked by her secret habit of murdering select clients and harvesting their scalps to wear as disguises, allowing her fleeting moments of imagined normalcy. Working at her upscale salon, Claire maintains a facade of competence and warmth, but her personal interactions are strained by profound and . The narrative builds through Claire's intensifying obsession with Olivia (Brea Grant), a charismatic and outgoing regular client whose seemingly ideal life—complete with wedding preparations—captivates her. As Olivia draws Claire closer by inviting her to style her bridal hair and attend pre-wedding events like a , Claire grapples with suppressing her violent impulses, even temporarily stowing away her collection of scalps in an effort to forge a genuine connection. This rising tension unfolds across escalating encounters, where Claire's attempts at intimacy reveal the fragility of her and the deepening rift between her desires and reality. Over its 105-minute runtime, the film structures its story through alternating sequences in the salon, glimpses into solitary home life, and visceral horror vignettes that highlight her unraveling psyche. The climax centers on desperate bid to fully inhabit Olivia's world during the wedding, culminating in a raw confrontation that exposes her isolation and leads to an emotionally devastating resolution where she confronts the void of her existence alone.

Themes and Motifs

The central theme of The Stylist revolves around isolation and alienation, particularly as experienced by the Claire in her role within the service industry, where she encounters clients' intimate confessions yet remains emotionally detached and unacknowledged in their lives. This loneliness manifests as a profound self-loathing, with Claire's murders serving as a desperate escape mechanism from her internal torment, allowing her to momentarily transcend her marginalized existence. Director Jill Gevargizian draws on influences like Carrie to underscore Claire's repressed rage and longing for connection, portraying her alienation not as villainy but as a tragic human frailty exacerbated by societal indifference. A prominent motif is that of , symbolized through the act of , which operates on both literal and metaphorical levels as Claire appropriates elements of her victims' lives to alleviate her dissatisfaction. By donning the scalps, Claire attempts to embody the "perfect" existences she , reflecting a deeper psychological impulse to steal identities amid her own fragmented sense of self, inspired by films exploring "the double" such as . This motif ties directly to themes of , where Claire fixates on clients' seemingly flawless lives, using the ritualistic as a perverse means of assimilation and temporary fulfillment. The film incorporates gendered horror elements by centering female obsession and psychosis, subverting traditional tropes through a woman's perspective on violence and desire. Gevargizian reimagines the serial killer archetype as feminine, drawing from and to explore Claire's unraveling psyche without objectifying her, while highlighting the blurred boundaries between stylist and client that foster invasive intimacy. This approach contrasts with conventional slasher narratives, emphasizing emotional vulnerability over physical spectacle and portraying female rage as a response to unfulfilled societal roles. On a broader level, The Stylist offers commentary on modern envy, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the horror inherent in everyday dissatisfaction, using Claire's descent to critique how isolation amplifies untreated psychological distress. Actor Najarra Townsend notes that Claire's over-analysis and surface-level relationships illustrate the damaging effects of prolonged solitude on well-being, underscoring the need for genuine connections to combat self-hatred. Gevargizian further humanizes her "monster" protagonist to challenge mental health stigmas, revealing how mundane anxieties and repressed obsessions can spiral into tragedy in contemporary society. Through these elements, the film transforms personal alienation into a lens for examining collective pressures like perfectionism and emotional repression.

Release

World Premiere

The Stylist made its world premiere at on September 26, 2020, in , serving as the film's debut to audiences amid the ongoing . The event adopted a fully virtual format to ensure safety, allowing global viewers to access screenings while generating early buzz through enthusiastic online discussions and social media shares from attendees. This hybrid approach, necessitated by health restrictions, marked a significant shift for the festival and highlighted the film's timely themes of isolation. Following its debut, The Stylist embarked on a festival circuit spanning late 2020 into early 2021, including screenings at the in from October 8 to 18, 2020, where it earned a nomination for the New Visions Award. Other notable stops included the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival on February 5, 2021, contributing to a growing reputation for the film's introspective take on . In the promotional landscape post-premiere, UK-based distributor acquired worldwide rights to The Stylist in November 2020, paving the way for broader international exposure. Director Jill Gevargizian participated in several Q&As during these festivals, often emphasizing the feature's expansion from her acclaimed 2016 of the same name, which helped contextualize its character-driven narrative for viewers. The pandemic's influence extended to delaying the film's wider theatrical rollout, as virtual formats prioritized safety over traditional screenings and extended the festival journey.

Distribution and Home Media

Following its festival premiere, The Stylist received a limited theatrical and video-on-demand release in the United States on March 1, 2021, distributed by Arrow Video amid ongoing restrictions from the that curtailed wider cinema screenings. In the , the film became available for streaming on Arrow Player starting March 1, 2021, with handling distribution rights across the , , , , , and . It later expanded to additional platforms, including Shudder, where it premiered for streaming in the , , and on May 9, 2022. Arrow Video issued the film's home media editions on June 8, 2021, in both Blu-ray and DVD formats, featuring high-definition transfers, 5.1 sound, and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Special features included an track with director Jill Gevargizian and Najarra Townsend, an introduction by Gevargizian accompanied by a visual essay on the film by critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, eight behind-the-scenes featurettes covering topics such as and outtakes, the original 2016 short film The Stylist, an additional titled (2016) with its own introduction, teaser and theatrical trailers, and image galleries; a limited edition Blu-ray also bundled an original score CD. Marketing for the release highlighted the film's elements, its expansion from the short, and its strong female leads, positioning it as a character-driven indie thriller exploring isolation and obsession. As a low-budget independent production, it achieved modest visibility through targeted genre promotions rather than broad campaigns, with no major theatrical earnings reported due to the limited rollout.

Reception

Critical Response

The Stylist received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, earning a 93% approval rating on based on 42 reviews, with an average score of 7.3/10. The Critics Consensus described it as "a slasher with flair and crafty patience for ," highlighting writer-director Jill Gevargizian's auspicious debut in the . Reviewers frequently praised the film's atmospheric tension, noting how it builds dread through a slow-burn approach that blends with elements. Najarra Townsend's performance as the isolated hairstylist Claire was a standout, with critics commending her nuanced portrayal of vulnerability, loneliness, and quiet menace, evoking a powerful sense of emotional fragility. Gevargizian's direction was lauded for its confident handling of character-driven horror, particularly in exploring around and the desire for connection, while the visual style drew comparisons to slashers for its retro-inspired cinematography and deliberate pacing. Despite the positive reception, some critics pointed to weaknesses in the film's execution. Pacing issues in the midsection were a common complaint, with certain sequences feeling drawn out and in need of tightening to maintain momentum. Plot holes, particularly regarding Claire's disposal of bodies and the logic of her motivations, undermined the narrative for others, contributing to a sense of unresolved elements. Additionally, a few reviews labeled the story as derivative, echoing themes and dynamics from earlier films like Single White Female in its exploration of obsessive attachment, though it was noted for carving out its own identity through its unique premise. Notable reviews reflected this mixed but predominantly favorable response. The Guardian offered a more critical take, calling the thriller "insipid" and three decades out of fashion due to its plot inconsistencies and uneven acting, though it acknowledged the film's violent ambitions. In contrast, Rue Morgue praised the film's sharp storytelling and performances, emphasizing its effective subtext on and isolation as a strong entry in indie horror. Overall, critics positioned The Stylist as a promising indie debut that excels in psychological depth and tension, even if it occasionally stumbles in narrative polish.

Awards and Nominations

The Stylist garnered nominations from prominent film festivals and awards, reflecting its impact as an independent horror production. At the 2020 International , the film was nominated for the New Visions Award for Best Motion Picture, recognizing innovative works. Director Jill Gevargizian received a nomination for the Grand Jury Award in the Best Narrative Feature category at the 2021 . In 2022, The Stylist was nominated for Best First Feature at the , an honor celebrating outstanding horror achievements. The film's awards trajectory builds on the success of its precursor, the 2016 of the same name, which won multiple accolades at genre festivals, including Best Short at the Fright Meter Awards. These early recognitions underscored Gevargizian's emerging voice in horror, paving the way for the feature's critical festival reception. Despite no major wins for the film itself, these nominations affirm its contributions to indie horror storytelling.

References

  1. https://www.arrowvideo.com/p/the-stylist-blu-ray/13647155/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_stylist
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11056910/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4255318/
  5. https://screenanarchy.com/2016/06/review-the-stylist-cuts-deep-into-the-heart-of-a-villain.html
  6. http://jillsixx.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-stylist.html
  7. https://volumes.lib.utk.edu/features/the-stylist/
  8. https://screenanarchy.com/2016/10/brooklyn-horror-film-festival-screenanarchys-top-picks-gallery.html
  9. https://www.filminquiry.com/the-stylist-interviews/
  10. https://www.arrowfilms.com/blog/interviews/interview-with-jill-gevargizian-director-of-the-stylist/
  11. https://movingpicturesfilmclub.wordpress.com/2021/06/11/interview-jill-gevargizian-director-the-stylist/
  12. https://www.thepitchkc.com/the-making-of-kc-horror-film-the-stylist-with-director-jill-gevargizian/
  13. https://www.movieinsider.com/m16269/the-stylist
  14. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thestylist/the-stylist-a-horror-feature-film
  15. https://www.starburstmagazine.com/director-jill-sixx-launching-kickstarter-feature-film-debut-stylist/
  16. https://premierescene.net/2021/02/22/jill-gevargizian-the-stylist-interview/
  17. https://filmhounds.co.uk/2021/02/interview-with-jill-gevargizian-director-of-the-stylist-final-girls-berlin-film-festival/
  18. https://www.kshb.com/entertainment/38-the-spot-kmci/kc-filmmaker-jill-gevargizians-new-horror-film-the-stylist-scores-high-praise-from-critics
  19. https://certifiedforgotten.com/the-stylist
  20. https://www.[imdb](/page/IMDb).com/title/tt11056910/fullcredits
  21. https://culturecrypt.com/movie-reviews/the-stylist-2020
  22. https://www.horrorsociety.com/2021/06/14/the-stylist-review/
  23. https://www.framerated.co.uk/the-stylist-2020/
  24. https://rue-morgue.com/jill-gevargizian-on-six-flicks-that-influenced-the-stylist/
  25. https://www.victimsandvillains.net/reviews/najarra-townsend-stylist-interview
  26. https://rue-morgue.com/2020s-the-stylist-takes-more-than-just-a-little-off-the-top/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11056910/releaseinfo/
  28. https://nofspodcast.com/fantastic-fest-2020-review-the-stylist-is-a-shaggy-serial-killer-story-despite-its-razor-sharp-lead
  29. https://letterboxd.com/noahphex/list/celebration-of-fantastic-fest-2020/
  30. https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/film/2020/stylist
  31. https://www.screamhorrormag.com/arrow-films-acquires-hairdressing-horror-the-stylist/
  32. https://www.arrow-player.com/the-stylist
  33. https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2021/02/11/new-artwork-uk-release-date-for-horror-the-stylist/
  34. https://www.shudder.com/movies/watch/the-stylist/2728785
  35. https://www.amazon.com/Stylist-Blu-ray-Brea-Grant/dp/B09181QFJW
  36. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Stylist-Blu-ray/288436/
  37. https://www.arrowvideo.com/p/the-stylist-limited-edition-blu-raycd/12953797/
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhsc4eLVFO8
  39. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Stylist-The-(2021)
  40. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_stylist/reviews
  41. http://www.bloodygoodhorror.com/bgh/reviews/the-stylist
  42. https://downrightcreepy.com/review-the-stylist-feature/
  43. https://rue-morgue.com/fantastic-fest-20-review-the-stylist-is-a-sharp-story-with-even-sharper-performances/
  44. https://www.pajiba.com/film_reviews/review-the-stylist-brings-shocks-gore-and-surprising-heart-to-its-slasher.php
  45. https://rogersmovienation.com/2021/02/25/movie-review-the-stylist-could-use-a-trim/
  46. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/24/the-stylist-review-arrow
  47. https://psychotroniccinema.com/2021/06/07/the-stylist-blu-ray-review/
  48. https://horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk/2021/05/film-review-the-stylist-2020.html
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11056910/awards/
  50. https://floridafilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FFF-2021-Program-Announcement-Press-Release.pdf
  51. https://www.fangoria.com/2022-chainsaw-awards-nominees-for-best-first-feature/
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