This extremely obscure thriller (unavailable almost everywhere) is unpleasant and highly unsettling, but at the same time undeniably effective. The premise of an evil child is taken to extremes: teenager Isabelle Mejias (who delivers her lines like a pro and is frighteningly convincing) lies, blackmails, arranges for people to be killed and kills herself with cold, calm ease. The film also has some perverse scenes (let's just say it goes beyond merely suggesting incest) that will turn most people off, but you have to admit that what it does, it does well (and that includes a shock ending that, for once, DOES come as a shock - forget about "Friday The 13TH"). (**1/2)
Review of Julie Darling
