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Perpetrator

Play trailer 1:40 Poster for Perpetrator 2023 1h 40m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 28% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Jonny Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan) is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone). On her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator.
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Perpetrator

Perpetrator

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Critics Consensus

A smartly ambitious supernatural thriller, Perpetrator blends an assortment of genres and influences into a bloody good time.

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Critics Reviews

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Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News 09/07/2023
3/4
Jonny’s refusal to become anyone’s victim makes the themes brought up in this genre-defiant film a cut above the rest. Go to Full Review
Noel Murray Los Angeles Times 09/05/2023
This is the kind of movie where, at any moment, the editor might throw in an insert shot of an oozing orifice, keeping viewers on their toes. Go to Full Review
Monica Castillo RogerEbert.com 09/01/2023
2.5/4
It’s not always clear what the movie is trying to say, but even its misfires are more interesting than most because of what Reeder and her stars bring to their characters. Go to Full Review
Emilie Black Cinema Crazed Aug 28
Perpetrator is one of those films that feels evergreen with most of the issues and themes it touches upon while giving a nicely creepy story that will connect with a ton of viewers. Th Go to Full Review
Paul Klein FILMHOUNDS Magazine Jul 20
2/5
At times one suspects it's an audience of one: Jennifer Reeder herself, sat in a darkened theatre with a wry smirk. Go to Full Review
Brittany Patrice Witherspoon Pop Culture Reviews 07/26/2024
2/5
While there are some creative elements to the script, there are more problems than achievements holding Perpetrator back from being the kind of film that could take this industry by storm. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Claudio C @Claudio666 6d Perpetrator (2023) Messy Movie (12,216 – 20 Jan 2026 – Claudio Carvalho) The overrated "Perpetrator" (2023) is a messy movie by Jennifer Reeder. The screenplay is confusing and the protagonist, Jonquil "Jonny" Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan), is a burglar and manipulative young woman who takes money from her schoolmates; therefore, an obnoxious character. The Caucasian Hildie Baptiste, performed by Alicia Silverstone, is her aunt and responsible for the spell on her 18th birthday. Is she sister of her father or her shapeshifter black mother? If she is sister of her father, why was her mother submitted to the same family spell? This film is indeed awful. My vote is one. Title (Brazil): "Feitiço de Aniversário" ("Birthday Spell") My Blog: https://maniacosporfilme.wordpress.com/ See more Dustin S @NicaraguaR Dec 10 I have to admit, I have absolutely no idea what the hell they were trying to say here. I loved the cast, I’ll give them that. See more Irene D Nov 16 genuinely i couldn’t understand a single bit of this movie. i would look away for one second and suddenly some random development was happening, was trying to be profound and was failing. unwatchably incomprehensible, somehow made it bad even with good actors See more Heather D @deepsters Feb 24 Went in blind without even reading the description. This is a very abstract, ambiguous movie. It drops you into a world without explaining anything. The subtle approach is what makes me like it so much. You’ll have no idea what’s going on, but you’ll want to keep watching to find out. See more J. E. N 10/11/2024 Unwatchable. I have no idea how someone with a functioning camera pointed at talented actors even managed to fail this badly. See more Cj P @Conley86 10/06/2024 Absolutely horrible and unwatchable See more Read all reviews
Perpetrator

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jonny Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan) is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone). On her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator.
Director
Jennifer Reeder
Producer
Derek Bishe, Gregory Chambet
Screenwriter
Jennifer Reeder
Distributor
Shudder
Production Co
Divide/Conquer, WTFilms
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 1, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2023
Runtime
1h 40m
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