Greta

Francis (aka Frankie) is a young girl just making it through life the best she can. She spends most of her time as a waitress at a high-class restaurant. Like many of the citizens of New York City, she commutes to said restaurant by means of subway. One night on the ride home, she notices a handbag left behind on one of the seats. Now most people would probably leave it there and figure that the owner will return for it at some point. Not Frankie though. She takes the initiative of returning the handbag to the owner. After a solid search of the handbag, it turns out the owner of the bag is a woman named Greta Heig (Isabelle Huppert).

So Frankie (Chloë Grace Moretz) makes her way over to Greta’s house. Greta expresses her thanks to Frankie and informs her how wonderful it is to receive visitors since the passing of her husband. As Greta states, “Everyone needs a friend.” Frankie emphathizes with Greta and volunteers to be her friend.

The friendship starts out nicely—an outing here and there, tea at the house. But then things change… and not for the better. Greta begins texting Frankie—non stop and at various times. She also begins stalking Frankie at various times of day. Frankie explains to Greta how uncomfortable this makes her and decides that it is best to end the friendship before things become dangerous. That doesn’t bode well.

I guess, in this case, a good deed never goes UNPUNISHED.

I’ve begun to notice a new trend in the Hollywood industry. More and more films, particularly those in the horror and thriller genre, are being based on completely realistic situations. It’s a new level of horror that, in my opinion, works as. As I’ve stated in the past, many horror/suspense/thriller films have become incredibly clichéd in their plots, settings and characters. Perhaps we are seeing a change to horror/thriller/suspense genres for the better. Then again… maybe not.

What has made horror films separate from other films is that, realistically, these so-called “horror” events are improbable and down-right silly. For me that is why, against what is probably better judgment, I continue to go to horror movies, for the unrealistic, but completely expected thrill of the occasional scare.

“Greta” is designed in the more “realistic horror” genre. This is dangerous ground to tread. Stalking is not a joke. It’s not something to be taken lightly, and those who are stalked are scarred from it; many live in constant fear.

That frightening reality is what makes a film like “Greta” dangerous for viewing. If a fear of stalking isn’t instilled already, it might be after this film. Of course, the movie has strong filmmaking qualities: relatively strong character development, strong chemistry between Chloë Grace Moretz and Isabelle Huppert. All of that is wonderful, apart from the graphic violence (mainly toward the end of the film) and the really unnecessary use of foul language. Sadly, the content pushes the film way beyond the comfort level, even for a seasoned reviewer such as myself. Speaking of which…

Content of Concern

Violence: Very Heavy. There is a extremely graphic, yet brief, severing of a finger with accompanying blood displayed. A character stabs a couple characters with a syringe. One character uses a gun, and we witness gunshots—and an off-screen murder by gun. Characters are hit and knocked unconscious. There is an apparent poisoning of a pet (we see the pet’s dead body). A character is murdered. Greta stalks Frankie multiple times. A person is drugged. A kidnapped woman is tied to a bed and other objects. She is also kept in a box and a locked room. A woman spits gum into a woman’s hair.

Profane Language, including: “J*sus Christ” (2), “J*sus,” “G*d-d*mn” (4), “Oh my G*d” (7), “G*d,” (6)—including “G*d, this is such bullsh*t,” “H*ll” (2)

Vulgar/Crude Language: • a** (2), including “Shoot asparagus juice up your a**” • s-words (2) • “cr*p” • “cr*ppy” • “b*tch” (2)

Nudity: Mild—A couple characters wear cleavage bearing outfits. Frankie’s roommate, Erica, wears a see-through outfit showing her bra and panties.

Sex: A sexual comment is made.

Morals

In “Greta,” as I stated, many would see an abandoned handbag and claim it for themselves. In fact, friend Erica urges Frankie, “let’s grab this woman’s cash and have ourselves a spa day on her.” Frankie, though, taking the moral high ground, strongly advises against this. In returning the handbag, she befriends Greta. The Bible states our role as Christians when it comes to friendship, especially with those who are widowed, and how this aligns with our calling to be more like Christ:

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. —James 1:27

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” —Isaiah 1:17

Visiting the sick, the orphaned and the widowed is the embodiment of Christian love and service to Christ:

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” —Isaiah 58:10

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” —Psalm 82:3-4

Closing Thoughts

Horror and suspense films are starting to produce true horror and true suspense. Is this a good thing? Well, that’s up to you to decide. Honestly, I think this reinvents the genre, but it also opens doors to topics and subjects that perhaps should be left alone.

“Greta” is one of those films. Disturbing at times and hammered, particularly at the end, with violence and the unnecessary use of profanity, “Greta” is a film that I really don’t recommend to any Christian. Remember:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” —Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

• Violence: Very Heavy
• Profane language: Moderately Heavy
• Vulgar/Crude language: Mild to Moderate
• Nudity: Mild
• Sex: Minor

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.