Writer-director Nicolas Pesce‘s follow-up to his arthouse horror hit THE EYES OF MY MOTHER is the stylishly brutal black S&M comedy PIERCING, adapted from Ryû Murakami‘s kinky, twisted love story of the same name.

Reed (Christopher Abbott) is going on a business trip. He kisses his wife and infant son goodbye, but in lieu of a suitcase filled with clothes, he’s packed a toothbrush and a murder kit. Everything is meticulously planned: check into a hotel and kill an unsuspecting victim. Only then will he rid himself of his devious impulses and continue to be a good husband and father.

But Reed gets more than he bargained for with Jackie (Mia Wasikowska), an alluring call girl who arrives at his room. First, they relax and get in the mood, but when there’s an unexpected disruption, the balance of control begins to sway back and forth between the two.

Is he seeing things? Who’s playing whom? Before the night is over, a feverish nightmare will unfold, and Reed and Jackie will seal their bond in blood.

“PIERCING has the feel of a blueprint, a talented man exercising his technical skills while waiting for a whack at the real deal… Amidst all this wonderful, yet empty, artificiality, Abbott and Wasikowska’s brawls look like a choreographed pas de deux. This might be the best role Wasikowska’s had in years.” (Variety)

“A propulsive, intricately crafted thriller that plays like the twisted lovechild of AMERICAN PSYCHO and PHANTOM THREAD. Slick and sick, sometimes sexy, and surprisingly sweet.” (Collider)

“Balances revulsion with allure and all its action against the question of who knows what, when.” (Hollywood Reporter)

“In a movie where everyone’s crazy, Piercing makes their malady infectious.” (IndieWire)

Saturday, November 24
Doors 9:15 pm | Movie 9:45 pm *Times subject to change.
Advance tickets $12 HERE | $14 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony. (Please note this film is rated 18A.) Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes not accepted for this event.

PIERCING (Nicolas Pesce, 2018 / 81 mins / 18A) After kissing his wife and baby goodbye for a seemingly normal business trip, Reed checks himself into a hotel room to accomplish something he’s always dreamed of: the perfect murder. As his sinister plans unfold, he soon realizes he might be in over his head with a mysteriously unhinged call girl named Jackie.