Watch Bruiser

Bruiser is a psychological crime thriller from 2000, directed by George A. Romero, that explores themes of identity, power, and revenge. The film centers around Henry Creedlow (Jason Flemyng), a timid and downtrodden office worker who wakes up one morning to find that his face has been replaced with a blank, white mask. As he tries to navigate his suddenly anonymous life, he becomes increasingly aware of the injustices and humiliations he has suffered at the hands of his boss and colleagues, and begins to hatch a plan for revenge.

The film opens with a montage of Henry's life, showing him as a meek and submissive outsider in his workplace and at home, where he is mistreated by his wife and her lover. When he wakes up with the white mask, he becomes even more isolated and detached from the world around him, and begins to experience strange hallucinations and dreamlike visions. He also discovers that he has developed unusual physical abilities, such as the ability to break through walls and withstand bullets.

As Henry struggles to understand what has happened to him, he meets a variety of eccentric characters who offer him clues and insights into his situation. These include a mysterious woman named Rose (Lesley Hope), who seems to know more about his past than she is willing to reveal, and a sadistic gangster named Miles (Peter Stormare), who takes an interest in Henry's newfound powers and offers to help him exact revenge.

The film gradually builds to a tense and bloody climax, as Henry's plan for revenge comes to fruition and he finally confronts those who have wronged him. Along the way, he must grapple with questions of identity and morality, and decide whether his newfound power justifies the violence he unleashes.

Bruiser is a stylish and atmospheric film, with a distinctive visual style and a haunting soundtrack that adds to its creepy and unsettling tone. The performances are also strong, particularly Jason Flemyng as Henry, who manages to convey a sense of vulnerability and menace even when hidden behind his mask. Lesley Hope and Peter Stormare are also memorably quirky and unpredictable as the enigmatic Rose and Miles.

Although the film has its flaws - some of the visual effects are dated, and the story can feel disjointed at times - it ultimately succeeds in creating a compelling and disturbing portrait of a man pushed to the brink by the cruelty of others. It also offers an interesting commentary on the themes of surveillance and identity in a society that can sometimes feel dehumanizing and alienating.

Overall, Bruiser is a solid and underrated entry in George A. Romero's filmography, and a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers and horror movies alike. Its moments of brutality and queasy surrealism are sure to leave an impression, long after the credits have rolled.

Bruiser is a 2000 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.