Megalomaniac ★★★

THE Belgian film Megalomaniac is an unusual exercise in presenting a tale of real-life horror.

During the 1990s a serial killer dubbed the Butcher of Mons was responsible for several murders, leaving the remains of his victims in plastic bags along roadsides.

The film is set years later and focuses on the Butcher’s adult children who are struggling to deal with the psychological impacts.

In fact, son Felix appears to be continuing his father’s murderous legacy under the protection of his sister Martha.

Felix is almost completely confined to the family home but Martha does have something of a working life as a night cleaner.

Harassed by other workers she takes her anger out on others through social media until a devastating incident occurs that pushes her further to the brink and Felix.

It’s an odd film that will isolate many viewers, but also captivating in a way that may hold your attention to the end.

The acting is uniformily fine with Elaine Schumacher the stand-out as Martha.

Keep an eye out for the future effort from writer/director Karim Ouelhaj.

Watched on Shudder