PARADISE HILLS: An Original Film That Is Beautiful to Look at, But Not Very Deep

I got the chance to see the film Paradise Hills this week, ahead of its premiere today. The film was co-written and directed by Alice Waddington in her big screen debut, and stars Emma Roberts (American Horror Story), Awkwafina (The Farewell), Danielle Macdonald (Dumplin’), Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil), and Eiza Gonzalez (Baby Driver). The movie was visually beautiful, with stunning scenes and gorgeous costumes and make-up. I was initially intrigued by the original tale, and ended up surprised by where the film went, but was overall underwhelmed by the acting and the resolution of the story.

The film followed Roberts’s character, as she is sent to a facility that is meant to look and feel like a retreat to help refine young women by means of therapy and brainwashing. While on the beautiful island of Paradise Hills, the girls are supposed to work hard to become the most perfect versions of themselves, but while there, they learn a dark secret that is lurking behind the scenes.

I liked the idea that the movie was based on, and felt like if it could have gone harder on the dark aspects of the major plot twists without the main villain becoming so cheesy, it could have worked a little better. I also would have suggested less singing. The songs were weird, and I got that they were pushing the fact that the society is patriarchal, but the creepy wedding song where she's telling the husband she's going to serve him on her knees was a little heavy-handed.

I did like the bond between Roberts, Awkwafina, and Macdonald, but was a little annoyed by the other portrayals, as they just felt over-the-top. The film ended up sending a positive message of women empowerment, which I can appreciate, but felt like the movie as a whole just missed the mark.

Paradise Hills hits theaters today.