Despite all the problems with “Twisted (2026),” directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, it proves to be a deeply enjoyable movie, though maybe for all the wrong reasons. Coming from the man who has directed four “Saw” movies, you can see that series’ DNA everywhere. It transcends a level beyond good or bad and needs to be seen to be believed.
“Twisted (2026)” stars Djimon Gaston Hounsou as Dr. Kezian, Lauren LaVera as Paloma, Mia Healy as Smith, and Neal McDonough as Bradshaw. Set in New York City, Paloma and Smith, lovers, run a realtor scam where they rent a house while pretending to put it out on the market, earning them tens of thousands of dollars. Paloma takes on various aliases from classic literature leading police to begin an investigation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kezian is a world-renowned neural surgeon whose wife, who was also a doctor, passed away, and he is trying to make a breakthrough in neural transplants. Kezian is frustrated with the bureaucracy of the system and his superior Bradshaw. Paloma decides to rent Dr. Kezian’s house, which she then shows people in an attempt to scam them. A prospective buyer tries to hit her; she rejects his advances leading to a fight with Kezian sees on his cameras. He subdues the attacker and figures out Paloma’s scam. Kezian kidnaps her in an attempt to use her to advance science. All of that happens within the first 30 minutes of the movie, and it only gets crazier from there.
All the actors here are great, and you can empathize with each of them. Kezian is dealing with grief from the loss of his wife, leading him to take a drastic, but in his eyes, necessary action. Paloma is an orphan, and she only scams because it’s how she has survived all these years. They are both dealing with grief, and it’s the core theme of the film.
Hounsou’s acting especially knocks it out of the park, and he carries a lot of movies. The plot itself is full of holes, but one can overlook that because of how much fun the film has. The movie goes by fast with its 90-minute run time, and it uses all of it. The pacing is downright perfect, something a lot of movies struggle with. The editing only deepens the absurd nature of the movie with split screen shots and other unique choices. Despite its label as a horror thriller, the movie is rather hilarious. “Twisted” on most levels is not a good movie. One could even say that at points it is so bad that it is good. What it is is an entertaining movie you can completely turn your brain off to and enjoy the complete absurdity of.
In a sense, there aren’t a lot of movies like that anymore, with of course the closest comparison being the “Saw” franchise. Movies that are supposed to be these bloody horror-filled thrillers end up being intentionally hilarious. Overall, if you are looking for something to just mindlessly enjoy with friends or family, “Twisted (2026)” is perfect for that. On a pure enjoyment-based rating, it gets an 8.1/10.