'Poser' Review
NR
Runtime: 1 Hr and 27 Minutes
Production Companies: Loose Films
Distributor: N/A
Directors: Ori Segev and Noah Dixon
Writer: Noah Dixon
Cast: Sylvie Mix, Bobbi Kitten, Abdul Seidu, Rachel Keefe
Release Date: N/A
Lennon exists timidly on the sidelines of the thriving Columbus, Ohio indie music scene, yearning for a personal connection that might shepherd her into the inner sanctum of warehouse concerts, exclusive backstage, house parties, and the cutting-edge art scene. As she fuels her desire for entrée into a podcast featuring live music and conversations with the artists she so fervently admires, Lennon finds inspiration for her own musical ambitions… and a growing sense of misdirected identity. Enter Bobbi Kitten, an enigmatic, striking, and talented half of a popular indie-pop duo, who takes Lennon under her confident wing—unwittingly entangling herself in a dark obsession.
What makes first-time directors Ori Segev and Noah Dixon’s psychological drama Poser so inviting is how they depict the indie music scene in Columbus, Ohio with authenticity and love while delivering an original, enthralling narrative. The narrative is like a mixture of Nightcrawler and Ingrid Goes West but set in the indie music scene of the midwest where Lennon, a timid young woman with determination to be a podcaster, assimilates herself into the indie music scene only to become obsessed with a talented musician named Bobbi Kitten. From there, Lennon’s ulterior motives slowly come to light and the film outstandingly follows through with style and haunting chills. All of the featured artists and bands are real and portray a fictionalized version of themselves. Though they set their focus on a phony wannabe, the filmmaker duo clearly have nothing but love and respect for the scene itself. Similar to what director Crystal Moselle did with Skate Kitchen, the film gives major visibility to an underrepresented scene, bringing its distinct world into the spotlight and hiring a bunch of first-time actors to deliver amazing first-time performances.
For her debut feature, model/actress Sylvie Mix is absolutely phenomenal in the leading role. You are so enticed by her body language from the cold open as she analyzes others with lifeless eyes. There is a slow build-up of tension as you witness Lennon become involved with the indie community in the most faux way imaginable. Mix plays her in a disturbing yet irresistibly entertaining manner, from her deadpan delivery to her lack of expression. The story is structured similar to a podcast miniseries with Lennon’s narration overlaid as she provides exposition to her subject, but her narration reads more like a true-crime artist than an upbeat music podcaster, so it helps with the uneasy tension and psychological drama vibes. Lennon does have a sympathetic factor that makes you sort of root for her, for you understand desperately wanting to fit in by any means necessary despite her being so full of garbage. When she crosses paths with the bubbly and friendly Bobbi Kitten of the Ohio-based duo Witch Siren, who takes her under her wing and into the deep end, that’s when Lennon's obsessive lens gets dangerous. Mix and Kitten both share a natural on-screen chemistry. The more their budding friendship develops, the more you anticipate how the inevitable falling out is gonna go down. The two are equally committed to their roles and watching them have this mentor-like relationship becomes hella intoxicating.
Man, do not show this movie to a music stan or a podcaster, for the film brilliantly explores how easily it can be exploited by independent artists while depicting how fake people can be when they’re chasing clout. Out of all the recent “becoming popular in a digital age is bad'' narratives like Mainstream, Poser manages to stand out as the cream of the crop. It isn’t heavy with its utilization of social media, for it’s only present to show how small Lennon’s following is in contrast to how quickly she gets access to meeting various indie artists who are hungry for the exposure but are also naive to people who take advantage of it. That shit exists in every field from music, film, journalism, and film journalism. There is always a Lennon in every field.
Apart from that, the film has outstanding technical aspects that make the experience gripping to witness. The film is visually gorgeous from a cinematography standpoint. It captures the bustling lifestyle of the Ohio music scene and all the genres of music coming out of it. There are ample innovative tracking and neon-filled shots to match the character’s emotions and their real-time experiences. There are even great sound mixing edits that cut from live and recording sounds that interweave for a chilling effect.
I honestly don’t have any major negative criticisms about Poser. It’s a biting and chilling debut for both the stars and filmmakers involved. It’s one of the major highlights from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, which is saying a lot. It grips you from the very beginning and takes you on a psychological, anxiety-inducing roller coaster experience for 87 minutes straight. It has me eager to see what Ori Segev and Noah Dixon conjure up next and hope they work together as a filmmaking duo team because their shared vision is truly one of a kind.
