Personal Shopper - A Movie Review

We’re not alone. I feel a presence in this room.

Personal Shopper is a 2016 film. With the recent death of her twin brother, Maureen has unfinished business in Paris. Continuing her job as a personal shopper as well as a medium, a mysterious caller sends her eerie text messages.

Ghost films have several different provocative interpretations. Personal Shopper is not just a ghost film. It’s an anomaly of themes and storylines. Facing multiple mixed reviews since its release, the film is a lesson about how to overcome grief.

I regret avoiding Kristen Stewart’s films for the longest time. Stewart is a versatile actress. Personal Shopper has several layers of depth. Maureen is trying to figure out life. Having the ability to feel ghosts, that’s not the identity of her character. Hiding her grief, Stewart studied a mix of grief, stress, and cunningness in her role.

Personal Shopper attains a small cast. Credits include Lars Eidinger, Sigrid Bouaziz, Anders Danielsen Lie, Ty Olwin, and more. Although Stewart occupies most of the screen, the ensemble plays an important role. Surrounded by strangers on a train while getting sinister texts, you don’t know who to trust.

The story for Personal Shopper fell flat at times. It was a ghost story but then it took a stalker angle. It drew out the film, as we had to wait for every text to come in. That ruined the mystical aspect. The audience is kept in the dark for most of the film. We don’t need exposition about what has happened in the past.

It kept tensions high, however. For anyone who has endured phone calls or texts from unknown individuals, it’s unnerving - especially Stewart’s performance.

Acting like a ghost, the camera angles and cinematography achieve notable effects. There’s someone else in the room and you can feel it. Based mainly on action, Olivier Assayas did a great job with the atmosphere. I also liked how Assayas worked with the actors.

Assayas had a good approach to subtlety. He had his own definition of suspense. For one scene he administered the best tension as the suspense slowly built, putting you on the edge of your seat.

Startling locations were picked for old houses. Filming for Personal Shopper took place in Paris. Luckily, the cast and crew were not harmed in the 2015 Paris attacks, leaving 48 hours before the attacks occurred.

Sound designers accomplished creaks and cracks, and even the smallest of noises. A unique soundtrack was used for the film to acquaint the movements of spirits with the tension. I was most impressed by the special effects team for creating unique spirits. One effect at the end sent goosebumps up my skin. Ghost films have a variety of definitions.

Personal Shopper is not just about one thing. That’s what I love about movies. They’re never just about one thing. Personal Shopper is about grief. It’s about figuring out your pathway in life. It’s also a chance to learn about a job you didn’t know existed.

Arguably, not much happens in this film. For most of it, we’re watching Stewart travel around, listen to ghosts, and continue to text this stalker. Then again, you have to watch everything closely. That is the whole point of the film. An unknowing atmosphere occupies this story. We’re reaching into the layers to analyze what it all means. That’s what movies do.

Find Personal Shopper on Hulu and watch it. You never know what’s going to happen. Be aware that it contains nudity. It’s a different type of thriller that is sure to excite you.