starring LAURA PREPON, PATRICK BAUCHAU, MISHA COLLINS, and TESS HARPER
“Incredibly impressive performances……Prepon is stellar throughout.” BEYONDHOLLYWOOD.COM
LOGLINE: The compelling true story of the Homolka-Bernardo murders, Canada’s most notorious crimes, starring Laura Prepon (That 70’st Show, October Road), Misha Collins (24, Supernatural), Patrick Bauchau (The Prisoner), and Academy Award Nominee Tess Harper (Tender Mercies). SYNOPSIS: The true story of infamous Canadian convicted killers Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Every scene of the film was derived from events transcribed in court testimony using police reports, interviews between Karla and her psychiatrist, and videotape of the crimes shot by the perpetrators themselves. But perhaps even more shocking than the serial rapes and murders by Bernardo, is the question of how and why a woman could love such a man to the point of becoming his accomplice… in crimes which began with murdering her own sister? As the gruesome events unfold, the utter lack of remorse from Paul and his quirky charisma paint a delusional world of normalcy for Karla, conflicted by her conscience but still unable to escape. But was Karla herself caught in Paul’s web, a victim? Or did the fact that she joined him in his crimes in spite of having an apparent conscience make her evil even deeper than his?
Karla Movie Review — BeyondHollywood.com
By Andrew Mackenzie
Many of you will probably know Laura Prepon as “the redhead” from the popular Fox sitcom “That 70s Show”, and after seeing her play girl-next-door Donna Pinciotti for eight years, it’s kind of hard to accept her as a peroxide-blonde accessory to the rape and murder of three schoolgirls. “Karla” is based on the true story of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka (Prepon), a couple who kidnapped, tortured, raped, and killed three girls, including Karla’s little sister, Tammy.
Through a series of flashbacks, we see these events as an incarcerated Karla describes them to a psychiatrist (Patrick Bauchau) that is considering her application for parole. Laura Prepon’s Karla is a down-to-Earth, stoic woman, whose honesty and forthrightness helps to charm the psychiatrist, and flashbacks show Karla to be completely under Paul Bernardo’s control. And although she is passive to her partner’s frequent rapes of strangers, Karla never actually partook in the murder or torture of any of the girls. Or at least, that’s what Karla’s flashbacks reveal, which includes an image of Bernardo as a bi-polar wife beater who at one point inflicts a heinous amount of pain upon Homolka.
“Karla” boasts incredibly impressive performances from the leads, and Laura Prepon does a stand-up job as the eponymous character, effectively casting aside her “70s Show” persona more than any of the other sitcom cast members have managed over the years since the show’s cancellation. And while Prepon’s portrayal of Homolka may not be the most accurate, it’s hardly the fault of the actress, but rather the script by co-writer and director Joel Bender. Despite this handicap, Prepon manages to stay stellar throughout the film, giving a very restrained, natural performance as a woman who would do anything for her man.
One scene in particular illuminates Prepon’s fine performance. In it, the camera is locked on Karla’s face as she witnesses Paul, her husband, strangle a young woman with an extension cord. Prepon’s facial expression tells more or less the whole story, and is somewhat reminiscent of “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”, where we only see the reaction of a man viewing his daughter’s autopsy.
Actor Misha Collins is equally brilliant as Paul Bernardo. He embodies the bi-polar aspect of Bernardo’s character so believably as to be frightening. Bernardo’s transformation from sex fetishist to wife beater to rapist happens gradually and naturally, up to a point where he stops being a sexually frustrated filmmaker and becomes pure evil. All of which seems incredibly accurate, thanks entirely to Collins’ performance.
Among the supporting cast, honourable mention goes to the silver-tongued Patrick Bauchau (“The Pretender”) as the psychiatrist. Unfortunately, not even Bauchau’s exceptionally suave demeanour can justify the filmmakers casting another actor who probably learned his English only a year ago to play Karla’s attorney. It’s safe to say that Prepon and Collins more or less carry the movie through its hundred minutes with their performances and on-screen chemistry.
Quite possibly the most disturbing aspect about “Karla” is that co-writer and director Joel Bender used to make a living directing and editing “Sweet Valley High” episodes before he moved onto films of this calibre. I guess maybe that’s why “Karla” is made with a technical level of competency, but no real artistic flare or thematic consistency. Perhaps even more unsettling, before his “Sweet Valley High” days, Bender dabbled in penning, directing and editing gory genre flicks.
FROM INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE — IMDB.COM
18 out of 34 people found the following review useful:
Intelligent and intriguing, 1 April 2006
Author: Lorena Michael from United States
Laura Prepon is amazing in this film. I can’t believe she hasn’t won more awards for it. Karla Homolka is one of the most enigmatic human beings ever to live, and she captures the enigma but somehow gives a kind of internal logic to it. At each step of the way we (the audience) can feel the world the way she saw it at that moment, and even though you don’t agree with her choice — you understand it. And so you see how she went form being “normal” at 18 to a full accomplice of Paul in his rapes and murders.
If you are a follower of True Crime films this is “must” viewing. For anyone else who can hold on for a dark journey, I also recommend it. You will find yourself caught up in the story and thinking about it long after you finish watching it.
//
10 out of 19 people found the following review useful:
Well researched, tastefully done, 10 June 2006
Author: J Foster from Canada
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
This movie is extremely well researched and tells the story from two perspectives at the exact same time — Karla’s perspective, who we all know casts herself as a battered and unwilling victim — and the psychiatrists perspective as Karla recounts the events and crimes.
The movie is set in 2001, during Karla’s psychiatric assessment for the parole board and it does a good job detailing the crimes and events that took place. Karla’s perception of events is obviously much different than anyone Else’s, and that is made very clear in this movie – to those who paid attention.
I don’t honestly see how so many people could have missed the psychiatrists intervention at points where Karla got a little more than carried away with explaining things. He was basically acting as her “voice of reason” and yet I’m reading everywhere that this movie is totally supportive of the “Karla Homolka is a victim” theory, which is less than widely accepted here in Canada – the very thought of Karla portraying herself as a victim drives people insane here.
At any rate – I felt this movie was given some terribly unfair reviews by people who wanted to review it long before they saw it. The boycotting mentality that spread across Canada in wake of the films release in theaters is more indication to me that people didn’t “get it” and didn’t care to.
I watched this film twice, the first time I was highly uncomfortable and as a result, my original review wasn’t very good. I watched it a second time after the shock of seeing the events unfold right before my eyes, and things made better sense, as I assume they would have had I set my emotions aside for the first viewing.
I would recommend this film to anyone enthusiastic about the Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo saga or anyone intelligent enough to recognize two distinctly different plot lines entwined.
I’m appalled at the treatment Canadians have afforded Michael Sellers in particular – he took the time to appear on a local news show that asked him to participate in a question and answer period, be obliged and did very well in debunking many of the premature assertions about his film. In fact, it was this appearance that changed my mind about the film entirely – because what Mr. Sellers was saying his film was about, wasn’t anything close to what the media has said.
Laura Prepon and Mischa Collins did a fantastic job, they both literally became monsters for the purpose of shooting this movie – and succeeded in portraying them convincingly. Neither of them believe Karla should be out of prison, and feel she’s just as dangerous or even more so than Paul Bernardo. It’s interesting how these viewpoints were altered to fit the media-driven boycotting of the movie, and I’m actually embarrassed to say that I’m a Canadian because it’s so obvious that this movie was bashed long before anyone saw it.
In my personal opinion, the mentality to boycott the film derived from a case of the Canadian media ganging up on an American production company who dared step on their soil to film a Candadian tragedy — as though nobody could have told it better than a Canadian based production company. I realize the victims families had a lot to do with the films release issues and even some production issues – and I believe this may have incited the boycotting, however I think the families had a right to fight this film every step of the way, for their children.
They stepped aside once some changes were made to the film and refused to continue to oppose the films release — unfortunately, by this time, the boycotting mentality had already taken it’s toll, and a really great movie was basically shunned because far too many people let the media make decisions for them.
0 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Karla’s story., 18 March 2009
Author: juice19 from Canada
Some of the people writing comments here are so ignorant!! Your saying “leave theses families alone” or “whoever made this movie should be ashamed” or “i will not give money to people who exploit this”
Just answer this: Have you ever seen.. Titanic? Wolf Creek? The Texas Chainsaw Massacre? House of 1000 Corpses? Murder by Numbers? Zodiac? Notorious? Victory? The Strangers? Schindler’s List? etc etc
All of those movies are based on true stories. Most of them about people who have died. Did you think about their families before you saw those movies?
Just because it’s a Canadian story doesn’t make it an exception to the rule. I’m not offended that this movie was made. If anything it shows us that we should always be careful no matter where we live.
Think before you speak.
16 out of 34 people found the following review useful:
Very Good, 3 April 2006
Author: maggymay1011 from United States
Couldn’t be better…this is a dynamic and well made movie. The acting was good and the production very well done.
I think the filmmakers took time to make this a very sensitive portrayal of a rough episode in Canadian history.
Two young criminals…one was actually a long time rapist…meet and develop a kinky relationship right away. Karla Homolka, 18yrs old, will do anything for Paul Bernardo, 21 years old. This liaison eventually leads to some sad situations where the couple commit some horrific crimes and are in complete denial about it.
The amazing part of the story is that the couple are young, beautiful and healthy…..and are complete psychopaths.
I think the film is very well balanced in presenting the true story of what happened in this cozy ‘burb of Toronto.
20 out of 42 people found the following review useful:
A notorious crime case in Canada is filmed and released in Canada despite the Canaduan opposition, 20 January 2006
Author: pamav from Canada
Of all the films I’ve seen on true crimes and serial killings, this one is one of the best. Not only does it tell the story of a sexually demented couple who embark on a course that will lead to accidental tragedy and then deliberate sexual torture and death, but there is also a very good psychological profile of the young couple, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. The couple are well known in Canada where Paul Bernardo is serving a life sentence in prison and his accomplice, Karla has been released last summer after serving 12 years in prison. The film tells the story so well, depicting the all of the events that lead to the couple on their destructive course.
The actors were really quite good…I recognized Laura Prepon. The actor playing Paul Bernardo, I haven’t seen before…but he was extremely impressively in a very difficult role. The direction and editing was top notch. Much care ands sensitivity has been given to this production.
I recommend this film to everyone and especially the Canadians who might have resisted the idea of seeing the film.
13 out of 29 people found the following review useful:
A rational and intelligent portrayal of an unexplainable crime, 23 January 2006
Author: vivisky2 from Canada
I didn’t know what to expect. These crimes were committed by some horrible people who got what they deserved. Maybe Karla HOmolka and Paul Bernardo were a beautiful couple, but they were twisted and sick.
I think this film really portrays them for what they are. THere is nothing glossed over. It seems to be as realistic as can be without showing scenes that might hurt the victims parents. Very sad and gruesome.
The film tries to analyze the reasons that these people were so nuts. And I think it does a good job. I’ve seen lots of films where you don’t know why, but this one tells us. I was riveted to my seat waiting to see what would happen, even though I know what happened. Everyone knows the story.
I congratulate the writers, director and producer for a job well done.
14 out of 31 people found the following review useful:
Disturbing but important to see …, 20 January 2006
Author: brasc from United States
… I found this to be a compelling cautionary tale about the moral climate of out times. The portraits of psychopathy and sociopathic behavior given us by Prepon and Collins provide an insight into the dangers of our modern values. These portraits serve as a warning about the various moral slippery slopes we confront daily. It is not to be considered just as entertainment, but rather a barometer by which we can measure our own states of sanity or depravity.
The movie obviously suffers from budgetary limitations but very often these are the very films which do not suffer from limitations of conscience. “Karla” most definitely has a conscience. Without making moral claims it guides us through the examination of conscience and battle with self deception of character that “there but for the grace of God” too many of us could all too easily become.
The film is an indictment of the poverty of healthy values of the society we have all created for ourselves.
18 out of 39 people found the following review useful:
Very compelling, 20 January 2006
Author: artsoul from United States
this is a film that has exceptional acting. THe story tells us thru the activities of the young couple what made these deviants click. WHen I saw it, I couldn’t believe how insightful and meaningful it was for a story about serial killers. There is NO gratuitous violence. Instead we see a very intelligent picture of this sick couple. There is a lot to learn from the film makers. As of today there has been a tremendous amount of publicity and much resistance. I don’t see why. After seeing the film I think all of that is ridiculous. THis is a true life event…it happened and it should be filmed. I heartily applaud those who have bucked the system in Canada to get this film out there.
27 out of 57 people found the following review useful:
Complete inaccuracy, 1 June 2006
Author: StrawberryDaiquiri07 from Canada
In response to mark and his ridiculous rendition of the events that actually took place.. I would just like to inform the public that his comment about “she murdered her sister (cut the tendons in her ankles so she could not run away) in order for her husband to repeatedly rape her sister, and laughed about it with her husband.” This is so inaccurate that it made me laugh hysterically!!!! All of this misinformation about the case has been put out there.. and gets passed around because of the ignorance of people making and passing on comments such as these. One more thing I would like to point out.. is that just because I have made this statement by no means makes me a Karla supporter.. I am not… I am an Ontarian who was very much affected by this case… I am also a person who is very well educated on the case of Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo.. and the true events that took place… I have seen this movie.. and other then the time-line being a little misplaced.. the events are however pretty accurate.. with a few things left out.. REF: The doe victims. For those of you interested in learning more.. and the true facts.. I urge you to either pick up a copy of Stephen Williams Invisible Darkness… Nick Prons Lethal Marriage.. or join us in discussion on the forums at EZBoard.. which are fulled with very accurate information.. including transcripts.. court documents… photographs.. access to real footage.. etc…
Best Regards..
SD07
6 out of 16 people found the following review useful:
a riveting true crime story, 2 April 2006
Author: twiggynpiggy from United States
I’ve seen many true crime stories and read lots of books. i saw this film at the AFM late last year.
i think what impressed me the most about this film was how real it seemed. the characters didn’t seem like actors you were watching perform. it was like looking at the situation through a peep hole. It was creepy.
the crimes were so senseless. the canadians went into shock over this crime…there were killings and many rapes.
Paul Bernardo was already an active rapist when he met his wife-to-be, Karla Homolka. immediately upon meeting, they become involved in kinky sex fantasies. to the extent that karla will do anything in this area to please her fiancé Paul.
It is one of the best and most believable true crime films i’ve seen.
7 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
A Chillingly Effective Account of the Exploits of Canada’s Most Notorious Serial Killers, 5 April 2006
Author: George Richards from United States
Karla recounts the well-documented exploits of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homulka, the Canadian couple who more than a decade ago shared marriage vows and homicidal impulses.
While any attempt at dramatizing their horrific acts runs the risk of veering into the realm of exploitation, Director Joel Bender manages to steer clear of this familiar territory, effectively portraying the couple’s harrowing crimes without resorting to slasher film tactics. Karla is boosted by Laura Prepon’s chillingly detached performance in the title role and Misha Collins’ turn as Paul Bernardo, whom he portrays with hair-trigger brutality.
8 out of 20 people found the following review useful:
One cute couple…one really sick combo, 24 January 2006
Author: katyshill68 from Canada
It was one of those films that once you start watching it you can’t leave, even if you want to, even if you know the end of the story. even if what they did is so repulsive it has shaken a country to it’s core and continues to do so.
I couldn’t believe that the producers would make a decent film version of this story. But they really did. Laura Prepon is so good as the conflicted Karla. Misha Collins is absolutely astonishing as Paul Bernardo. I commend them both.
I don’t want to give the plot away, but I think most people know what happened to this couple….but if not…see the film. You’ll agree that it is so well done.
By the way, I noticed on the credits: Brandon Routh? Isn’t he the new superman? KSH
9 out of 22 people found the following review useful:
Fantastic Film!!!!, 8 February 2006
Author: Darren Anderson from Canada
After months of waiting for the film Karla to be released in Canada and the unfortunate sensorship from a particular film festival. I was very impressed with the outcome.
The way the main characters were portrayed by both Laura Prepon and Misha Collins was a very fine example of high calibre acting. As far as the way the story was told, I don’t think there could have been a better film produced. I especially appreciated the attention paid to the gruesome details and the tasteful way they were expressed. There was definite sensitivity paid to the victims and their families.
I feel if the powers that be had at least seen this brilliant film before making rash judgement and decisions – the outcome would have been very different.
I encourage everyone to take the time to see this wonderful film and also comment on it.
Regards, Darren Anderson
8 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
Tough Viewing – Great Acting, 5 August 2006
Author: AnnHolway360
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
“Karla” asks – but does not answer – questions posed by at least 4 authors in their true-crime tomes about this case. Is Homolka a murderer? When Bernardo started bringing his kidnapped victims home, did her pleasure stem from relief at having other poor women to take his abuse – or was it of a more sinister nature?
Laura Prepon made a brave choice in this role and nails conflicting emotions of selfishness, remoteness and fear. Misha Collins is chilling and, in fairness, has an easier job in portraying Bernardo for what he was – a savage, nocturnal, misogynistic beast. Watch the scene where he goes berserk at his wife, screaming at her to get out of “his” house before turning on a dime and stopping her cold with a “Princess, wait,” when he realizes she actually intends to do as he said and leave.
I would not wish a living nightmare like Bernardo on any woman, even his wife, but one has to wonder what Homolka THOUGHT would happen when she learned his true nature. When her fiancé admits that he “wants” her 15 year-old sister, her question is not “And how much of a running start do you want before I tell my father that?”, but “Are you gonna marry me?” The movie finds its strength in the small details that drive home the heartlessness of these people – not that we needed reminding. Witness Bernardo whistling “Deck the Halls” while he fixes his future baby sister-in-law a drugged screwdriver and then stirs it with a candy cane. Witness the way he enters the house and blithely calls out “Hey, babe, I’m home,” the night after her threw her down a set of stairs into the basement and beat the stuffing out of her.
Witness the way Karla reminds a victim to “smile for the camera” and taps her on the nose before retreating and letting Bernardo torment her. I concur with the analytic findings shown at the end of the movie that there is a “moral vacuity…an absence of empathy” to her.
Watching “Karla”, I was also struck by the similarities between Bernardo and Ted Bundy – manipulative, apparently normal, avaricious, materialistic fiends. They both had a wife/girlfriend dangling on a string, and both started their life of crime as Peeping Toms with petty scams/theft before descending into violence. Both were also tormented by their own illegitimacy, which was kept secret from them by their mothers. “Karla” doesn’t mention this implicitly, but watch for Bernardo’s reaction when his 2nd victim calls him a b*****d.
Please be aware – the violence in this film is not (IMHO) exploitative but is very graphic and, as in “Heavenly Creatures”, made more sickening by the fact that it actually happened. I got dizzy and had to close my eyes on a shot of cardboard boxes – those who have seen the film will understand why.
I don’t pretend to have insight into the nature or depth of Homolka’s guilt, but one thing is for sure – through their cruelty and depravity, this couple deprived the world of (at least) 3 very special girls. All my respect and sympathy goes out to the families and loved ones of all their victims, both those who are and are no longer with us.
4 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Deeply disturbing and a must see., 4 October 2006
Author: dom_ray from United States
Anyone interested in true crime, drama, the story of Paul and Karla or just getting the heck scared out of you, should check this movie out. Though the media frenzy the case ensued in Canada wasn’t the same in the States, the story of this couple is just like the taglines say, deeply disturbing. My wife and I saw this movie and I was as freaked out as she was. We talked about it for days, and she still checks the locks on the doors at night. This is a great movie, and I think the director did a fantastic job interpreting this story. I would call it entertaining and informative. Laura and Misha should be applauded for there courage in taking on the roles of these truly sick people.
8 out of 19 people found the following review useful:
A View Into The Mind of a Narcissistic Psychopath, 2 July 2006
Author: Kristi from United States
Karla is an interesting portrait of someone who lacks empathy. Events which normally would have dire emotional consequences for most people have little if any effect for a narcissist, and this movie portrays how someone can do and continue to do horrible things to others without really feeling much sorrow about it. For these people, they can feel emotion very strongly, but only if directly related to themselves. Karla makes half-hearted attempts to appear sincerely apologetic to psychiatrist about the goings on of her past…she knows what she did was wrong…but the sincere heart-wrending sorrow that someone should feel when truly repenting for horrible crimes is missing in this girl. The average viewer of this movie will be amazed, asking, “how can she do that” because they simply cannot understand what it is like to just not really care about another human unless you have shared a lot with that person…and even then, the pain of losing them is fairly minor and not life-changing. As one of those narcissistic people, i would say this movie is astonishingly accurate in that portrayal that shows the strong sadness and passion a person may feel while not feeling at all for others in general. The crimes are terrible, and acted out in such a day-to-day non-dramatic manner that it’s as “real as you can get”. Despite a few tiny technical spots where one might ask, “would that have really happened at this point”, i would say this movie is wholly realistic and disturbing as such…and even more disturbing if we can look into ourselves and see a little bit more insight; a little bit of Karla.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Karla not a victim…,Narcissistic personality, 17 July 2009
Author: MarieGabrielle from United States
Disorder is accurately diagnosed by her psychiatrist,well-portrayed by veteran actor Patrick Bauchau.
Laura Prepon is believable and cold as Karla Homolka, who was jailed for killing her sister and conspiring with sexual sadist and psychopath Paul Bernardo. He is odiously portrayed by Misha Collins.
The story itself is horrific,and I believe the writer accurately portrayed Karla as borderline psychotic,yet she has a surface normalcy to society,much the same as Ted Bundy and other psychopaths. She is not a sympathetic character, and Prepon delivers a believable performance.
Overall an interesting study,Misha Collins as Bernard is particularly devoid of conscience and detestable,and it would be impossible to explain why any woman would stay with him for love, unless she was indeed psychotic.
5 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Moving and well made, 6 September 2006
Author: frater_solomon from Canada
An 8 only because this movie didn’t need to be made. The world doesn’t need another serial killer movie, true or not, but I am Canadian and remember this trial well, so I watched this movie (somewhat reluctantly).
In the end I was impressed with Prepon’s ability to show two very different and intensely complicated people (the wife consumed by the love she feels for an abusive monster of a husband and the parolee reliving her worst experiences) throughout this film. Collins was equally impressive in portraying the charming guy that everyone loves and then turning into a monster in an instant. In watching this film one can understand why it took such a toll on the actors. Whether this film is true to the actual crimes or not, at the very least it presents a powerful impression of Karla’s side of the story.
The film captures just a hint of the terror wrought upon the women Bernardo abused, in particular the girls he and Karla abducted, without resorting to conventional horror movie tactics. Not graphic, but infinitely more disturbing.
11 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
A chilling film, and not as gratuitous as some make it out to be, 24 January 2006
Author: Dan Grant (dan.grant@bell.ca) from Toronto, Ontario
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Paul Bernardo is a monster. There is no other way to look at it. He is sadistic, inhumane, despicable, demented and someone who should be tortured every day of his life for what he did to his victims, the ones we know about and the ones we don’t. His sidekick Karla Holmolka, is just as evil. According to her, she was a willing participant in the crimes, but did not kill anyone. That doesn’t make her much better of a person, but one can look at her circumstance and at least say that she wasn’t quite as cold as he was.
For those who don’t know, Paul Bernardo and Karla Holmolka were two beautiful, young Canadians from the Niagara Falls area who were convicted of raping, torturing and dismembering two of their three victims in the early 90’s. Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy are the two young high school girls that they kidnapped and dehumanized and then Tammy Holmolka was Karla’s little sister who was drugged and then raped and then died of an apparent overdose. This story gripped Ontario and the rest of Canada for months in the early part of the 1990’s. Paul Bernardo also became known as the Scarborough rapist and was convicted of some of those crimes as well. Holmolka finally turned on Bernardo when he beat her one too many times and she cut herself a nice little deal to serve only twelve years for her part of the crime. That is the Bernardo/Holmolka case in a nutshell.
Here in Canada, this film has been protested and considered blasphemous towards the memories of French and Mahaffy. While I agree that it must be difficult for the families to relive the memories, I have to say that I believe in freedom of speech and that this film is important in it’s own right. It is a sanitized but accurate retelling of the story that shocked Canadians and others around the world that followed it. I have followed the case with great interest since it happened and to see it on big screen was not only disturbing, it was like reliving a nightmare all over again. Does that mean it should be banned because the families don’t want it on screen? The answer to that is a resounding NO!
The strength of the film is the performance by Laura Prepon as Karla Holmolka. She seems to embody what Holmolka could have been like. She is attractive and evil all rolled into a salacious yet deviously disgusting débutante. The weakness of the film is that this is told from Holmolka’s point of view. She begins to tell her story to the prison psychiatrist and of course what we get is her recollection of what happened. Is this the truth or is it just a fabrication to protect her already destroyed reputation? I look at it as being a 100% and unequivocal lie and a unforgivable plea for forgiveness. Holmolka a victim here? Hardly to the extent that she perpetuates herself to be. The evidence dictates that some of the crimes against the victims were crimes of jealousy, such as hair being cut off and so on. This was premeditated, psychosomatic, disturbing and most of all violent.
I guess I shouldn’t be here to digress into the case, this is after all a movie review, but it is hard to review the film without a passionate response to memories of the past.
The film makers do a very commendable job of not going into soft core kiddie porn by keeping the killings off screen and the rapes to the youngsters also off screen. I give them full marks for not showing what truly happened as the Bernardo you see on screen is monster enough without showing what he truly did (google his name and his true crimes and actions will surface).
I am glad a film that tells this story is out there. Like we say about Remembrance Day, Lest We Forget. I know these crimes will never be forgotten here in Canada, but now we have a film that shows us that monsters are not just in fantasy and horror films, they live right next door to you and you might just say hi to them every day. And because this is a landmark case in Canadian judicial history, a film like this doesn’t come across as sensational, it comes across as necessary.
8/10
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
Its good for what it is., 20 August 2008
Author: Cablebot3000 from United States
Karla is based on the real life killers Paul Bernado and Karla Homolka. As most serial killer/rapists movies go, its just alright. The director tried to capture the brutality and true nature of the characters, but it only went so far. Misha Collins and Laura Prepon do a pretty good job, but also seemed a little distant to their characters because of the script. However, its still a good effort. I am also glad that it is not as graphic as it could have been. It is pretty harsh, but not over the top or extreme. Overall, while its not the greatest serial/killer rapist movie based on a true story, it tried, and the effort was not too shabby. I rate this 7/10. Rated R for brutal psychotic violence including murder, rape, and spousal abuse,disturbing sexual content and strong language
Disturbing, And A Real Departure For Prepon., 12 May 2007
Author: youshotandywarhol from Oregon
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
“Karla” centers around a young Canadian couple who meet and very quickly fall in love with each other: Paul Bernardo (Misha Collins) and Karla Homolka (Laura Prepon, of TV’s “That ’70s Show”). Unfortunately, Paul is mentally unstable, and finds pleasure in raping and sexually abusing women – something Karla wasn’t aware of in the beginning. It begins on Christmas Eve when Karla and Paul end up accidentally killing Karla’s younger sister while trying to make a sex video. While she is disturbed by the entire thing, she is still desperate for love (which she believes she has truly found), so Karla goes along with her husband’s insatiable hunger for sexual violence and power, and takes part in it as well, as he kidnaps young women, makes sex tapes with them, tortures them, and ultimately murders them.
Based on the real-life murders that occurred back in the early ’90s, I found this true-crime flick a fairly disturbing film. I had read a little about the real crimes that happened before, finding that Homolka and Bernardo have been labeled Canada’s most notorious murderers. While I know the basic details of the case, I’m still not all too familiar with the real Karla’s involvement in the murders. In the film she is depicted as an abused woman, weakened by her husband’s manipulative and violent personality. In fear of him, she does as he says, even if that means participating in horrific acts. The main reason she is seen as guilty in the murders is because of her “lack of empathy for the victims”, and this is clearly shown throughout the film. The problem that I had here though is that I was confused as to how this film was trying to portray her – was it attempting to tell us that Karla was simply an abused, beaten-down person who was coaxed into these crimes? Or was she mentally unstable as well, and participated in the crimes by her own free will? To me it appeared the film was sympathetic towards her, but that’s how I interpreted it. Whatever the real events may have consisted of, the storyline revolving around her character is fairly well constructed, whether it is fictionalized in the real Karla’s favor or not. Good writing is present, and the story is told from Karla’s point of view as she retells the events to a parole officer in hopes of making her way out of prison into the real world.
The acting in the film was surprisingly good. Laura Prepon, who gained her fame playing the friendly red-headed girl-next-door in the television sitcom “That ’70s Show”, makes a large departure from her comedy roots, in a powerhouse performance as an extremely dark, and obscure character. She plays the character surprisingly well, and anyone who is immune to seeing her as the spunky, good-hearted Donna on “That ’70s Show” will be quite surprised with this disturbing performance she delivers. The audience can sympathize with her to a certain extent (which is sometimes almost fully). Again, I am not sure if the real Karla was as innocent as the film portrays her. In the film however, she seems relatively normal, and clearly not as mad as her husband. Her neglect for human life though (and her passive following of her husband) is a sure sign of mental illness. Misha Collins is menacing as well as her abusive and murderous husband – he’s a scary guy. The violence in the film is mostly implicated and not shown, but it’s just as equally effective – the abuse and torture endured by these innocent girls is awful, and stomach churning when projected on screen. I can’t imagine what the real victims endured, and in respect I’d like to send out my condolences to the families of the real victims.
Overall, “Karla” is a disturbing film. Regardless of the real Karla Homolka’s innocence or guilt in the actual crimes, this is still a really good crime film that holds itself up well. If you go into see this movie, expect a disturbing and uneasy experience. The story is fairly well told (even if the real facts may be distorted or changed for storytelling purposes), and it is an interesting film to watch, plus there are really good performances to be found. One thing I can say for sure is that it is much better than most of the straight-to-video true crime junk that you can find at your video store. 7/10.
0 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Laura Prepon gives a command performance!, 25 October 2009
Author: Sylvia Marciniak (sylviastel@aol.com) from United States
Laura Prepon gives a command performance as perhaps Canada’s most hated woman, Karla Homolka Bernardo. I give her credit that it was award-worthy because I am used to seeing her do comedy. In this two drama, the story about the horrendous killing of three young girls including her own baby sister and the rapes in Ontario, Canada is carefully minimal to the actual events. There was a lot more that they could have added in but they did focus on Karla’s side of the story and how she tries to convince the psychiatrist to recommend her for early parole. For those who have read anything about the case, the horrors and the shocking crimes were scaled down to the audience but it’s still frightening nevertheless. Karla falls for Paul Bernardo who turns out to be a rapist/killer. Laura Prepon’s performance provides a more than a one dimensional view of Karla’s character. While I have my own judgment about the case of her involvement, I have to say that the film does a decent job in developing her character as an abused wife but her role in the hideous crimes is still unbelievable. It would have been impossible to show the actual crimes anyway. They were too gruesome and just evil. My heart goes out to the victims and their families but not to Karla who I think got off too easy.
2 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
So, It Is As They Say.. huh ??, 11 May 2007
Author: Mike Elliott (AlanMichaelElliott) from Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commenting on the technical aspects of this movie I would say it was relatively well done though I feel more attention should have been paid to the three or four verbal fowl ups found within the film’s dialog. This kind of shortcoming seems a common occurrence these days in many a film or TV episode and would only present itself as being a bad look on the actors. Hopefully post-production editors will start listening more carefully to diction as such inadequacies play as strings of humiliating wastes within a film.
The movie’s storyline can only be trusted as much as the Canadian public trusts it’s government and it’s nation’s legal system. After all that is what ran the show.. so to speak. The facts seem to be presented as to the way the Canadian government would want them to be presented and NOTHING more.
My regards to the actors and creators of this fine film and to their initial effort of sprinkling some sunshine onto a big void that could be called “an assumed ignorance”. A more integral approach plausibly will never be found for at least another 50 years or more and at that only if all of the evidence and testimonies have NOT been destroyed by then.
I enjoyed this “flic”.. thanks!
68 out of 92 people found the following review useful:
Surpringly good acting; toned-down version of sickening events, 27 January 2006
Author: Fargoisgreatmovie from Canada
Paul Bernardo – probably one of the cruellest serial killers that ever existed. Around 50% of the votes cast so far are 1 and this is understandable, as the subject matter in the movie is probably the darkest and most disturbing that any movie could possibly be- and to make matters worse, its all true. There is a relentless hate for this movie and people are going to vote 1 just to try to discourage other from seeing it, to try and teach Hollywood to stay out of producing tragic events, but where were the 1’s for other movies profiting off tragedies, like Schindler’s List, Titanic or Monster? Before seeing it, I read from others that the acting in the movie was great, I didn’t take the comments seriously, but after seeing it, I am totally impressed with Laura Preppon’s talent- I never thought of her as a good actor. She IS Karla Homolka, and although she won’t win any Oscars for this role, she has undoubtedly impressed many other critics who may have never suspected she had this talent within her. The only major difference between Karla and Laura is that Homolka was a very small woman- 5′2 or so, while Laura is very tall, 5′11. When watching the introducing scene, I had doubts about how good Misha Collins would be, but by the time we reached the first perversion, he turns out to be quite a good actor, although I’d say Preppon definitely gives a better performance. People object to this movie for many reasons, and one is that some believe it’s too sympathetic to Karla, but I would disagree. True, it is narrated from real life transcripts that Karla gave to her pscyhiatrist,and many see that as a reason to distrust the movie, but what she tells and what we see are sometimes different and the movie does NOT omit ANY of the evil deeds she committed. However, A LOT of the sadistic things that Paul did were omitted in this brief 81 minute movie- and that is why I called it a ‘toned-down’ version of the gruesome events, more toned-down that most people would suspect it would be. In this way, the violence is not gratuitous, but there are *surprise!* many cringe-inducing moments. One flaw I see in this movie is the improper allocation of time to various events. The movie covers 90% of the key events, but there was no mention of the videotapes being found, (which completely turned the case upside-down) nor was there any time giving us background information about Bernardo or Holmolka, which we see in other serial killer movies like Monster (we see Aileen as a teenager). I may be wrong, but I think the chronological order between various events may have been shuffled in one case, but probably for editing reasons. I doubt any reviews that IMDb can offer will make a difference in whether one sees it or not, as either you can tolerate watching difficult things or you cannot. However, I agree with CBC’s review that is ‘an above-average’ movie and while being tough to watch, it can also be a tool to reinforce the message that appearances can be deceiving.
15 out of 19 people found the following review useful:
A difficult film to watch…, 23 October 2007
Author: Onthethreshold from Vancouver, Canada
Being Canadian and the fact this film isn’t widely available up here I feel compelled to offer some comment on what many consider a tragic story exploited for financial gain to no end.
Those of us that lived this story back in the early 1990’s and the subsequent trial of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka can attest to the degree of disgust many felt at the crimes these two committed. The film is accurate in many respects as to details of the story, but make no mistake that the details were far more sadistic and brutal than what has been portrayed in this movie. At least to those of us that have read the transcripts of the videotapes that Bernardo took of his victims, and one can hardly blame the director from omitting those details or forcing an actor to play such a role out.
My only beef with this movie however is that it does attempt to paint a picture of Karla Homolka being just as much a victim here as Bernardo, and although no one can deny she was under his influence and subject to this violent outbursts, to suggest she had no control over this situation and simply tagged along for the ride is to suggest that she was just as much a victim of Bernardo as the two murder victims. Those versed in this case know much better and the role she may have played in the death of Kristen French (aka Kaitlyn Ross) is something we’ll likely never know as there are those that suggest she was directly responsible for killing the second victim.
The acting in this film is nothing notable, but given the nature of the roles played here it’s wonder they found anyone to play these two to begin with. Because of the difficult subject matter I’ll let the mediocre acting pass because for it to be much better would almost be like saying the actors immersed themselves perhaps a little too much in characters that most would find revolting and if not downright sickening.
In the final analysis, ‘Karla’ is a film you’ll only watch once and personally I don’t think this was necessarily ever meant to be a movie for mass consumption either at the theatre or your local videostore. That being said, Canadians should have the right to see this movie for those so inclined vs. having the state tell us what is suitable or unsuitable for our viewing pleasure as there are movies out on the market FAR more disturbing about real life events than this flick could ever hope to be.
19 out of 27 people found the following review useful:
At first, it’s hard to understand the furor over this film., 4 April 2007
Author: innocuous from Raleigh, NC, USA
In most respects, this is a very “modest” film, with only some very brief shots of a naked breast and no other frontal nudity. Even the major violence occurs in a Hitchcockian manner…recognized, but off-camera. (There are several scenes in which Karl is struck by Paul, but they are on par with a typical TV western.) The underlying problem is that this film is very true to the facts as they are known about this case. This apparently disturbs a great many people. No effort is made to justify the actions of Karla and Paul, though the majority of the story is told from the self-serving point of view of Karla herself. We are given no insight into what it might have been in their pasts that would lead them to act in this manner and commit such horrible acts. My reaction to this film, being very familiar with the case itself, is not one of revulsion or horror, but one of great sadness. These were some truly sick people. Be sure to view the extras on the DVD, as they help illuminate what actually happened after the trial and reinforce the fact that the courts and jury did not believe Karla for a moment.
1 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Good performances, disrespectful to the victims families, 25 October 2008
Author: shannonphoenix from United States
I did like the acting because I think it gave Laura Prepon a chance to get out of her “Donna” persona and I think Misha Collins is good as well. Both are young actors and gave a good performance as being both seemingly the perfect couple and the cold people that they were portraying.
I don’t blame the Canadian people for being upset. I do not know much about the Canadian Justice system, but I can say this; they are doing something correct because they have fewer social problems than the US does and I do believe they are more proactive with their judicial system as in actually having real rehab instead of pretend rehab.
I have always thought that making a movie or TV show without the victim’s families permission is wrong unless there is a big lesson that people need to learn from. Many parents will give permission to TV to warn kids and parents of dangers of somethings, but to do a movie about real events without consent is appalling. Canadians seem more quieter than we are in the US and no Hollywood filmmaker had any right to do that without the victims permission.
Some stories should be told because we as citizens of this world should learn from them. But, I have a hard time seeing what good could come of this story, EXCEPT Laura’s performance of Karla as NOT being a victim like she has said she was. She had people she could go to. I really just wanted to see how Laura would do with this character, I felt terrible for the families.
1 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Banned film doesn’t deserve the hype…it’s just another serial killer flick, 21 May 2007
Author: Robert W. (Robert_duder@hotmail.com) from Ontario, Canada
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
As a Canadian, in fact less than three hours away from the site of one of the most horrific serial killer murders in Canadian history I remember thinking about how scared those girls must be and how much I wish I could rescue them from wherever they were. When they caught Bernardo and his twisted wife the story was a sensation complete with books and articles and the public, Canadian and otherwise IMMEDIATELY began cashing in on this crime…it certainly didn’t start, nor will it end with a film being made. On top of that this film is only one small movie in the grand scheme of a world where every serial killer of every shape and size and crime has had a at least one…usually more films about them…Charlie Manson, The Zodiac, Jack The Ripper and I could go on. And yet this film seems to be taking so much criticism because of the victims and their families and perhaps I just don’t understand. Regardless as a Canadian I wanted to see this film so I did. It certainly didn’t blow me away, it doesn’t add anything to the case or dramatize hardly anything although certainly parts of it are disturbing and hard to watch. Despite some reviewers saying they don’t dramatize the rape they do to certain extent and they show some torture but more or less they show what kind of things and people Karla Homolka and her husband were. Some might say Karla is victimized by the film but I don’t think that’s what the film makers were trying to show…the film makers were showing the movie ‘Karla’ from her perspective. She is telling her story, her side of things to the Psychologist who could free her on parole (to which she is denied implying he didn’t believe her.) It is up to us as viewers to believe or disbelieve her story.
The performances are excellent. The casting was brilliant but the story was nothing spectacular. Laura Prepon of ‘That 70’s Show’ goes way out on a limb to play Karla Homolka. She is terrific!! Her downward spiral and her disturbing twisted mind and everything Homolka was including the sweet talker and the ‘normal girl’ and Prepon does an incredible job of capturing all that. A tough and gutsy role to play for certain! Misha Collins is an absolute force to be reckoned with as the insane killer Paul Bernardo who has this complete other side to him where he is the ‘nice, normal neighbor’ and Collins makes that seem all too eerily real. Collins pulls off a stand out performance and truly makes the role downright disturbing. Kristen Swieconek is one of their victims re-named ‘Tina McCarthy’ in the film in respect to the families. The rest of the cast are barely significant as they slide in and out of scenes barely noticed. The film focuses hard on Bernard and Homolka and their relationship and their downward spiral and their eventual capture and her life in Prison.
Director Joel Bender, also American, and the entire cast were not Canadians and yet didn’t try to deal with this film as a ‘Canadian tragedy’ or uniquely Canadian as so many film makers would try to do even with a story about a serial killer. This is made in such a way that it could happen anywhere and anytime and so much focus is given on the married couple that is loses something. There really isn’t a story, or a plot and we don’t really get to see inside their minds. The film is very analytical in many ways…this happened, this happened, this happened…period. There was much in the way of dramatic additions or trying to change the story in any way which is probably respect by the film makers but as a medium of entertainment or education the film loses it’s quality. It might be worth seeing as a piece of studying to law or crime in Canada but it won’t entertain by any means and it won’t really enthrall you all the two lead performances are very well done. I don’t condone the actions of Bernardo and Homolka, I hate them, I despise them, and I wish them dead to be completely honest. I think they are disgusting and not human in any way shape or form and what they did was revolting. Karla Homolka, like her husband, should never see the light of day again and yet she walks. She will not benefit or earn money from this film and film makers have been making money from tragedy since the beginning of film…it’s part of life. I watched this film from a perspective of did it educate and was it worthwhile. Should it be banned in Canada?? No. Not unless the Canadian Government plans on banning ALL horror films, or violent media since this doesn’t hold a candle to such films like Hostel, Saw, Turistas, 300…etc. The film doesn’t even deserve the publicity because most people won’t even bother with it and it won’t raise much discussion. It’s an averagely done, sub par film. 6/10
5 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
That girl from the 70s show, 26 April 2007
Author: kosmasp
I’m not a big follower of that 70s show, but I’ve seen a few episodes. And it’s interesting to see, that the actors have grown and take on the (movie-)world! ;o)
Here we get the “true” story of Karla. I didn’t know anything about this tragedy/story that had occurred. But it seems that it’s a pretty accurate depiction of the things that happened. So accurate maybe that some might not going to like what they see here. It’s not easy stuff that you’re going to see here! It’s pretty disturbing, but it is also a pretty disturbing story to tell. Still you’re never really connected with Karla (Laura Prepon plays fantastical here though), but that also might be a good thing. It’s a hard story to digest, but it’s a good adaptation!
Author: Xproject187 from Northern Cali United States
When it comes to a true story the facts are presented & thats just the way it is. Laura Prepon(Karla Homolka)was the bomb she looks & acts perfect,fine,beautiful & as for Misha Collins(Paul Bernardo)well he was the movie “GREAT JOB” He made me hate hate hate him.So yeah they both played very well.It’s because of the terrific job they both did that I chose not to believe Karla’s Story as it just don’t jive & in My opinion she is a liar among other things. However I still felt so sorry for her as she told her story to Psyc Dr.Arnold(Patrick Bauchau). Due to this stories context it totally held my attention until the end. It seems as though enough money was spent on all necessary areas & it shows. In short; I think it was a good movie & that any adult will be in awe of this movies topic.thats why I gave it a 6.
Xproject187