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6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Crown of Thorns remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for pre-code melodrama that doesn't quite know when to quit. If you want a tight, logical plot, look elsewhere. You will probably hate this if you need characters to act like actual humans instead of people living inside a constant, low-grade panic attack.
There is a specific kind of intensity in Crown of Thorns that feels like it’s vibrating off the screen. It is not subtle. The lead artist is just… a lot. She looks at the sculptor like he is the only thing keeping the earth from spinning off its axis.
The sculptor guy, meanwhile, seems mostly confused. I kept waiting for him to just walk out of the room, but the movie won't let him. It reminds me of the manic energy you see in A Naked Soul, where the drama feels forced by the sheer will of the camera.
The cinematography has these weird, dark shadows that swallow the furniture whole. It feels claustrophobic, like the set was built way too small on purpose. I think that might be the point, but it also makes the whole thing feel like a stage play that got lost.
One scene in the studio goes on for what feels like three hours. They just stare at clay. It is bizarre. The silence is so loud you can practically hear the film grain popping.
It’s not as polished as something like Steamboat Bill, Jr., obviously, but it has this raw, unhinged quality that I kind of respect. It’s definitely not boring, even when it’s annoying. It’s just very much.
By the time the end rolls around, I was mostly just exhausted for the characters. It’s a tragic mess. Some of the acting choices make you wonder if the director just told everyone to 'feel more sad' until they collapsed. 🎭
It’s a rough watch, but it’s human in its own messy way. If you’ve seen Serenade and wanted something a bit more frantic, this is your movie.