THE COLUMNIST: Effective, But Muddled

Who doesn’t love a bit of satirical horror? Horror is a genre that is able to provide a violent lens through which societal issues can be examined and discussed without sacrificing the entertainment value of a film. Director Ivo van Aart attempts just this with The Columnist, a bloody, entertaining thrill ride that tackles feminism, online trolling and a slew of other issues with a sharp and witty script that doesn’t quite leave as a big of an impression as one would hope.

Trolls, Trolls, Trolls

Femke Boot (Katja Herbers) is a successful columnist who is routinely attacked online for her views. She goes on TV to speak on behalf of better online behaviour but this only fuels the trolls constantly tweeting her. Femke is also under pressure to finish a book for her cold and demanding publisher and when she finds out her neighbour is one of her online harassers, she snaps and pushes him off a roof. She then makes it her mission to identify her harassers and goes on a wild killing spree, while also engaging in a relationship with another writer Steven Dood (Bram van der Kelen).

The Columnist feels timely and authentic in its depiction of the countless, constant abusive messages. Van Aart’s film nails the nasty messages and how easy it is to say something vile and violent online, but how it’s often just “normal” people behind those messages who then cower in fear once confronted by Femke, who shows no mercy, just like the men – and it’s always men – didn’t show any for her online, instead crucifying her publicly and cruelly, demanding her head on a plate for no reason whatsoever.

Katja Herbers carries the film with her intense, relatable performance. While Femke might be considered an anti-hero on her way to becoming the villain in her own story, Herbers always grounds Femke’s rage to feeling hurt and trying to claw together a sense of control and taking back what was taken from her forcefully and without consent; her dignity and agency. Femke never becomes a killer of almost supernatural agility and technique, she’s an ordinary woman, fuelled by her anger and hurt, thus able to kill these men, but none of the kills are clean or easy, but clumsy and messy.

Morally Murky

Where The Columnist falters is its very black-and-white view of the world. It never complicates its themes or narrative; it’s very simply Femke against the men. Recently, Emerald Fennell’s fascinating Promising Young Woman tackled similar themes, but with more nuance and never pointed the finger at just men, further complicating the rape culture by acknowledging women being equally accountable and participating in the prominent, dominant patriarchal rape culture. The Columnist is so clearly about female rage, but it cheapens it and reduces its impact by never examining or interrogating the culture of online abuse further.

While The Columnist is still deliciously morally murky, it could have used a tiny bit more of that. Are we supposed to cheer Femke on in her killings? And if we do, what does that make us? The Columnist also touches upon the theme of free speech, something Femke’s daughter Anna is promoting at school but her principal is doing his best to stop. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, Femke silencing her abusers while Anna campaign for freedom of speech, but this isn’t explored meaningfully either.

But The Columnist is still undeniably fun and a thrilling watch. Femke is an interesting, relatable protagonist, someone we can root for or at the very least, want to see her find some kind of balance or inner peace by the time the credits roll. The film correctly depicts Femke’s growing obsession with social media and how interruptive it becomes, the constant notification tones and casually sexist and violent messages taking over her life.

The Columnist: Conclusion

The Columnist remains a film about the female experience, female rage written and directed by men, which diminishes its power, but it would be almost impossible not to enjoy The Columnist. It’s slick, funny, and often completely right about what it portrays. Van Aart’s film is entertaining and it makes a few great points about social media, trolling, and abuse but unfortunately, it never unlocks all of its potential. Katja Herbers shines in the lead role and Daan Windhorst’s script is witty, smart, and darkly funny, even if it lacks deeper meaning. The Columnist is certainly worth your time and presents an accurate, timely look at our society’s issues with social media through the bloody lens of a horror thriller.

Did you enjoy The Columnist? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

The Columnist is released in select UK cinemas (pending COVID restrictions) and digital 12th March

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