Perfect Creature
Encyclopedia
Perfect Creature is a New Zealand made horror
/thriller film written and directed by Glenn Standring and starring Saffron Burrows
and Dougray Scott
, set in an alternate universe New Zealand. The New Zealand release date was 18 October 2007. The film was released straight-to-video in the US on 17 July 2007.
in Northern Lights
with the city appearing as dirty and gritty as London
was in the 1860's. There are workhouses for the poor instead of welfare and unsupervised dirty ragamuffin children roam the streets. Women appear to play an equal part in all roles in this society, as evidenced by female cops, reporters and a female medical examiner. However a policeman can make an arrest at will for reporting on any potential damaging news on the "Brotherhood". That an offender can only be held for 48 hours shows that there is freedom of the press. The newspapers themselves seem to be crudely printed.
Human churchgoers donate blood for the Brothers to drink though Brothers never drink blood straight from the human body.
Churchgoers wear rosaries; however not all humans are churchgoers. During rare ceremonies humans drink the Brothers' blood which gives them visions and some may experience prescience. The liturgy of the church states that mingling the blood of the two races makes one titular "Perfect Creature" as per the title of the film.
Brothers hold religious education classes for human children. They are taught that Brothers are a step in human evolution, and learn that genetic research is banned because nothing but evil comes from it – the deadly influenza which is rife in the city, included. Genetic research is banned for humans as a method of control by the Brothers so that humans are prevented from getting rid of vampires or gaining independence. It was mentioned that before the co-existence of human and vampire, vampires were killed, at birth.
) gives birth to a vampire. A young Brother, Silas, aged 10-13 is told this child, Edgar and he are from the same mother. Throughout this introduction the mother is in visible emotional distress, reaching out across the room to Silus, trying to touch him. He observes her calmly if slightly warily through unemotional eyes.
Captioned "100 Years Later," Jamestown slum has had a series of attacks on women, who are all found with their throats bitten. Lilly Squires (Saffron Burrows
) is in charge of the human police investigating these cases. She states that she comes from a workhouse in this same slum, and we establish that she is one of the few cops who care what happens to these people at the bottom of the socioeconomic heap. Lilly finds a small boy who witnesses one attack, and tells her that a Brother was responsible. As the police don't want to panic the city, the string of murders is explained away as being the result of an outbreak of the rampant influenza virus.
Silas (Dougray Scott
) is detailed by the church cardinals to work with the human police because the Brothers know that these attacks have been carried out by a Brother; Silas's brother Edgar (Leo Gregory
). Edgar has sent Silus a recording of his last murder, challenging him to find and stop him before he kills again. Edgar gives the location of his next murder.
With Silas' help, Lilly puts together a task force to stake out the area Edgar has targeted. However Edgar distracts the cops and attacks Lilly, biting her in the neck. An officer interrupts the attack and Edgar flees. To save Lilly's life, Silas tells her to drink his own blood, which she does. Silas then pursues Edgar, managing to shoot him with a tranquilizing dart.
Silas later visits Lilly in hospital. We establish that she has no family as they died from influenza. Lilly is having visions from drinking Silas' blood, involving a moth, a doll, blood, and Edgar's face. The newspapers have covered the (fake) story of the death of the killer; a deranged human who believed he was a Brother.
Silas then goes to the sub-basement of the church. There he sees that Edgar is held in a "brace", a spiked body restraint. Because Silas is soon to be made a member of the "inner circle" he is given the full details of what happened to Edgar.
The cardinals have been very worried that not a single Brother has been born for 70 years, and that a female vampire has never been born. Although they have publicly banned genetic research, the church has been carrying it out in secret. Edgar has been developing a virus to inject into pregnant women, to force the baby to be born a vampire. Alas the virus has mutated, and it has turned the women into violent, insane, psychopaths. Ten of Edgar's research subjects are already dead, and the last one is dying. Edgar has also become infected, and is now insane yet the effect is slower due to his strong immune system.
Silas visits Edgar, who vows to escape and finish off Lilly. Edgar accuses Silas of being in love with Lilly, despite Brothers being forbidden to love.
Edgar is held in a semi-spherical cell, observed through a bullet-proof glass wall with two jailers. The jailers can release stupefying gas if he becomes too violent. From time to time Edgar runs the length of his cell and head-butts the window. Over time Edgar notices a small crack is appearing in the glass. On occasions he comes right up to the window and stands there banging his head rhythmically, as if insane, but really enlarging the crack.
One night, Silas is at a ceremony in the church for his investiture as a cardinal. This night Edgar escapes, killing the guards and receptionist and infects a researcher by forcing him to drink his blood and then kills him.
Edgar disappears into Jamestown. He enlists the help of a low-life scumbag Freddy to help him catch Lilly. Freddy threatens a prostitute with a knife, and when a female cop comes to help, Edgar leaps down behind her and attacks. However it is not Lilly, but her colleague and friend Stephanie (Lauren Jackson
).
Edgar has installed a tap and tube system into his forearm, so he can turn on a flow of his own infected blood at any time. He fills Stephanie's mouth with his blood. Freddy insists on getting his own share as well, not knowing it is infected and Edgar gives him his share saying "don't be greedy".
Silas is guarding Lilly at her apartment, when she is sleeping Silus shows some affection for her by imagining to kiss her, when Edgar bursts through a window and grabs her. Silus and Edgar grapple, however Silas is knocked unconscious long enough for Edgar and Lilly to disappear.
Now that Stephanie is very sick with the virus, Edgar leaves her body out where it will be discovered, with a note attached. It reads, "Everything flows through me, my blood will change the world" which givies Silas the clue to his location. Freddy is also very sick, and is just annoying Edgar too much, so Edgar rips his heart right out of his body and drops it on the ground killing him instantly.
Stephanie is taken to the hospital, where we learn that the virus has spread throughout Jamestown. The government has instituted a quarantine, and soldiers shoot anybody who attempts to leave. A radio report states that the Queen has left the city. Humans are rioting outside the churches, and throwing their rosaries back at the Brothers.
Silas discovers Edgars location is Jamestown's water source. Edgar is dripping his blood into the water supply, infecting all of Jamestown. However, each suburb has its own separate water supply. Silas is determined to go in and rescue Lilly, however another cardinal tells him that Jamestown will be burned to the ground to make sure that the virus dies, and Edgar with it. He warns Silas that his own career will be doomed if he ignores the "greater good" and breaches quarantine.
However, Silas breaks through into Jamestown and heads to the aquifer, dodging the infected ones. On the way Silas meets one other Brother, tending to the dying and he shows Silas something, it is unknown what it is.
Lilly is handcuffed to a water pipe in a locked basement. Edgar comes in and she tries to persuade him to stop but instead he challenges her about her dead child, saying that her race is good at abandoning children. They hear a bang, Edgar says, "He's here," and goes. Lilly opens the door and calls for Silas. However, an infected person enters the basement, and Lilly has to grapple her while still attached to the water pipe.
Edgar finds Silas and they fight.
Lilly manages to subdue the infected woman, and frees her hands from the water pipe at last.
Just as Silas is winning Edgar throws him backwards onto the prongs of a steam injector. As Silas lies groaning, and possibly dying, on the ground, Edgar approaches with a portable steam injector. When Edgar depresses the trigger steam comes out. Edgar tells Silas he is going to burn Silas's face off so that he will be more of a monster just like him. Lilly comes up behind Edgar and kills him by stabbing another steam injector into the back of his skull.
Silas escorts Lilly from the water facility. He kisses Lilly and says she must do something. He gestures to a building then tells Lilly she must look after what she will find in there and keep it away from the Brotherhood. Lilly enters the building, and finds the other Brother, a dead woman, the doll from her vision, and a baby. The Brother tells Lilly the infant is the first female vampire ever born. The virus has created her and she is truly the first Perfect Creature.
Silas is branded a heretic, and must stay in hiding. Meanwhile Lilly is caring for the baby and Silas is watching over her.
The movie ends with Silas saying that he is being hunted but he will always fight back, leaving much scope for a second a movie.
was originally cast as the villain Edgar, but was forced to leave the production due to other film commitments.
At Cannes in 2005 it was announced that 20th Century Fox
had purchased the North American theatrical rights, plus other key territories in what was the largest deal between a major American studio and a New Zealand film.
Perfect Creature is the sixth most expensive New Zealand film ever made after The Lord of the Rings
films, The Frighteners
and The World's Fastest Indian
respectively.
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
/thriller film written and directed by Glenn Standring and starring Saffron Burrows
Saffron Burrows
Saffron Dominique Burrows is an English actress and former fashion model, who starred as Det. Serena Stevens on Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Lorraine Weller on Boston Legal.-Early life:...
and Dougray Scott
Dougray Scott
-Early life:The son of Elma, a nurse, and Alan Scott, an actor and salesperson, Stephen Dougray Scott was born in Glenrothes, Fife and attended Auchmuty High School...
, set in an alternate universe New Zealand. The New Zealand release date was 18 October 2007. The film was released straight-to-video in the US on 17 July 2007.
Setting
This psychological thriller is set in an alternate 'dieselpunk universe with an odd mix of technologies, clothing styles with a version of social advancements and much stagnation. The film takes place in a large coastal city where the Queen lives, and is centered around a slum called Jamestown. Technologies represented include zeppelins, radio, black and white TV with small circular images. There is DNA analysis, but with 1940's-style slide projectors, cars and telephones including a type of cellphone and/or walkie talkie. Medical treatments include antibiotics and a vaccine for the influenza virus, however horse-drawn carts are numerous. The architecture is very similar to OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
in Northern Lights
Northern Lights (novel)
Northern Lights, known as The Golden Compass in North America, is the first novel in English novelist Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy...
with the city appearing as dirty and gritty as London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
was in the 1860's. There are workhouses for the poor instead of welfare and unsupervised dirty ragamuffin children roam the streets. Women appear to play an equal part in all roles in this society, as evidenced by female cops, reporters and a female medical examiner. However a policeman can make an arrest at will for reporting on any potential damaging news on the "Brotherhood". That an offender can only be held for 48 hours shows that there is freedom of the press. The newspapers themselves seem to be crudely printed.
Backstory
In the slums 300 years ago, male children began to be born as vampires. They have enhanced hearing, sight, agility, stamina and reflexes. In this reality, vampires are considered a more perfect version of humans; i.e. closer to God and constitute an elite. They have created a church and are called "Brothers". They wear unadorned, long black coats, and appear monk-like. The Brothers state they exist only to serve humans; to protect and guide them. Brothers live longer than humans; the oldest is over 300 years old and as yet none have died. Vampires are removed from their mothers at birth, indoctrinated into the Brotherhood, and raised to believe they are evolved humans whose role is to serve.Human churchgoers donate blood for the Brothers to drink though Brothers never drink blood straight from the human body.
Churchgoers wear rosaries; however not all humans are churchgoers. During rare ceremonies humans drink the Brothers' blood which gives them visions and some may experience prescience. The liturgy of the church states that mingling the blood of the two races makes one titular "Perfect Creature" as per the title of the film.
Brothers hold religious education classes for human children. They are taught that Brothers are a step in human evolution, and learn that genetic research is banned because nothing but evil comes from it – the deadly influenza which is rife in the city, included. Genetic research is banned for humans as a method of control by the Brothers so that humans are prevented from getting rid of vampires or gaining independence. It was mentioned that before the co-existence of human and vampire, vampires were killed, at birth.
Plot
The film opens as a pregnant woman (Danielle CormackDanielle Cormack
Danielle Cormack is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She was one of the original core cast of the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, though she is also known for her role as the Amazon Ephiny in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, Cynthia Ross in The Cult, and Shota in...
) gives birth to a vampire. A young Brother, Silas, aged 10-13 is told this child, Edgar and he are from the same mother. Throughout this introduction the mother is in visible emotional distress, reaching out across the room to Silus, trying to touch him. He observes her calmly if slightly warily through unemotional eyes.
Captioned "100 Years Later," Jamestown slum has had a series of attacks on women, who are all found with their throats bitten. Lilly Squires (Saffron Burrows
Saffron Burrows
Saffron Dominique Burrows is an English actress and former fashion model, who starred as Det. Serena Stevens on Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Lorraine Weller on Boston Legal.-Early life:...
) is in charge of the human police investigating these cases. She states that she comes from a workhouse in this same slum, and we establish that she is one of the few cops who care what happens to these people at the bottom of the socioeconomic heap. Lilly finds a small boy who witnesses one attack, and tells her that a Brother was responsible. As the police don't want to panic the city, the string of murders is explained away as being the result of an outbreak of the rampant influenza virus.
Silas (Dougray Scott
Dougray Scott
-Early life:The son of Elma, a nurse, and Alan Scott, an actor and salesperson, Stephen Dougray Scott was born in Glenrothes, Fife and attended Auchmuty High School...
) is detailed by the church cardinals to work with the human police because the Brothers know that these attacks have been carried out by a Brother; Silas's brother Edgar (Leo Gregory
Leo Gregory
Leo Gregory is an English film and television actor. He has appeared in many films such as Green Street, Stoned, Act of Grace, Daylight Robbery, and Menace....
). Edgar has sent Silus a recording of his last murder, challenging him to find and stop him before he kills again. Edgar gives the location of his next murder.
With Silas' help, Lilly puts together a task force to stake out the area Edgar has targeted. However Edgar distracts the cops and attacks Lilly, biting her in the neck. An officer interrupts the attack and Edgar flees. To save Lilly's life, Silas tells her to drink his own blood, which she does. Silas then pursues Edgar, managing to shoot him with a tranquilizing dart.
Silas later visits Lilly in hospital. We establish that she has no family as they died from influenza. Lilly is having visions from drinking Silas' blood, involving a moth, a doll, blood, and Edgar's face. The newspapers have covered the (fake) story of the death of the killer; a deranged human who believed he was a Brother.
Silas then goes to the sub-basement of the church. There he sees that Edgar is held in a "brace", a spiked body restraint. Because Silas is soon to be made a member of the "inner circle" he is given the full details of what happened to Edgar.
The cardinals have been very worried that not a single Brother has been born for 70 years, and that a female vampire has never been born. Although they have publicly banned genetic research, the church has been carrying it out in secret. Edgar has been developing a virus to inject into pregnant women, to force the baby to be born a vampire. Alas the virus has mutated, and it has turned the women into violent, insane, psychopaths. Ten of Edgar's research subjects are already dead, and the last one is dying. Edgar has also become infected, and is now insane yet the effect is slower due to his strong immune system.
Silas visits Edgar, who vows to escape and finish off Lilly. Edgar accuses Silas of being in love with Lilly, despite Brothers being forbidden to love.
Edgar is held in a semi-spherical cell, observed through a bullet-proof glass wall with two jailers. The jailers can release stupefying gas if he becomes too violent. From time to time Edgar runs the length of his cell and head-butts the window. Over time Edgar notices a small crack is appearing in the glass. On occasions he comes right up to the window and stands there banging his head rhythmically, as if insane, but really enlarging the crack.
One night, Silas is at a ceremony in the church for his investiture as a cardinal. This night Edgar escapes, killing the guards and receptionist and infects a researcher by forcing him to drink his blood and then kills him.
Edgar disappears into Jamestown. He enlists the help of a low-life scumbag Freddy to help him catch Lilly. Freddy threatens a prostitute with a knife, and when a female cop comes to help, Edgar leaps down behind her and attacks. However it is not Lilly, but her colleague and friend Stephanie (Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Elizabeth Jackson is an Australian professional basketball player. Jackson began her professional career at the Australian Institute of Sport in the WNBL before moving on to the Canberra Capitals. She is currently a forward/centre with the Seattle Storm of the WNBA and the Australian...
).
Edgar has installed a tap and tube system into his forearm, so he can turn on a flow of his own infected blood at any time. He fills Stephanie's mouth with his blood. Freddy insists on getting his own share as well, not knowing it is infected and Edgar gives him his share saying "don't be greedy".
Silas is guarding Lilly at her apartment, when she is sleeping Silus shows some affection for her by imagining to kiss her, when Edgar bursts through a window and grabs her. Silus and Edgar grapple, however Silas is knocked unconscious long enough for Edgar and Lilly to disappear.
Now that Stephanie is very sick with the virus, Edgar leaves her body out where it will be discovered, with a note attached. It reads, "Everything flows through me, my blood will change the world" which givies Silas the clue to his location. Freddy is also very sick, and is just annoying Edgar too much, so Edgar rips his heart right out of his body and drops it on the ground killing him instantly.
Stephanie is taken to the hospital, where we learn that the virus has spread throughout Jamestown. The government has instituted a quarantine, and soldiers shoot anybody who attempts to leave. A radio report states that the Queen has left the city. Humans are rioting outside the churches, and throwing their rosaries back at the Brothers.
Silas discovers Edgars location is Jamestown's water source. Edgar is dripping his blood into the water supply, infecting all of Jamestown. However, each suburb has its own separate water supply. Silas is determined to go in and rescue Lilly, however another cardinal tells him that Jamestown will be burned to the ground to make sure that the virus dies, and Edgar with it. He warns Silas that his own career will be doomed if he ignores the "greater good" and breaches quarantine.
However, Silas breaks through into Jamestown and heads to the aquifer, dodging the infected ones. On the way Silas meets one other Brother, tending to the dying and he shows Silas something, it is unknown what it is.
Lilly is handcuffed to a water pipe in a locked basement. Edgar comes in and she tries to persuade him to stop but instead he challenges her about her dead child, saying that her race is good at abandoning children. They hear a bang, Edgar says, "He's here," and goes. Lilly opens the door and calls for Silas. However, an infected person enters the basement, and Lilly has to grapple her while still attached to the water pipe.
Edgar finds Silas and they fight.
Lilly manages to subdue the infected woman, and frees her hands from the water pipe at last.
Just as Silas is winning Edgar throws him backwards onto the prongs of a steam injector. As Silas lies groaning, and possibly dying, on the ground, Edgar approaches with a portable steam injector. When Edgar depresses the trigger steam comes out. Edgar tells Silas he is going to burn Silas's face off so that he will be more of a monster just like him. Lilly comes up behind Edgar and kills him by stabbing another steam injector into the back of his skull.
Silas escorts Lilly from the water facility. He kisses Lilly and says she must do something. He gestures to a building then tells Lilly she must look after what she will find in there and keep it away from the Brotherhood. Lilly enters the building, and finds the other Brother, a dead woman, the doll from her vision, and a baby. The Brother tells Lilly the infant is the first female vampire ever born. The virus has created her and she is truly the first Perfect Creature.
Silas is branded a heretic, and must stay in hiding. Meanwhile Lilly is caring for the baby and Silas is watching over her.
The movie ends with Silas saying that he is being hunted but he will always fight back, leaving much scope for a second a movie.
Cast
- Dougray ScottDougray Scott-Early life:The son of Elma, a nurse, and Alan Scott, an actor and salesperson, Stephen Dougray Scott was born in Glenrothes, Fife and attended Auchmuty High School...
as Silus - Saffron BurrowsSaffron BurrowsSaffron Dominique Burrows is an English actress and former fashion model, who starred as Det. Serena Stevens on Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Lorraine Weller on Boston Legal.-Early life:...
as Lilly - Leo GregoryLeo GregoryLeo Gregory is an English film and television actor. He has appeared in many films such as Green Street, Stoned, Act of Grace, Daylight Robbery, and Menace....
as Edgar - Scott Wills as Jones
- Stuart Wilson as Augustus
- John Sumner as Howard
- Peter McCauleyPeter McCauleyPeter McCauley is an actor from New Zealand who has appeared in many television series and movies, mainly in his home country.- Career :...
as Professor Liepsky - Aaron MurphyAaron James Murphy-Film:* Perfect Creature .... Slum Kid* The World's Fastest Indian .... Tom* Boogeyman .... Young Tim* Rain .... Jim-TV Work:* "Power Rangers S.P.D."** - Insomnia TV Episode .... Sam...
as Slum Kid - Danielle CormackDanielle CormackDanielle Cormack is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She was one of the original core cast of the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, though she is also known for her role as the Amazon Ephiny in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, Cynthia Ross in The Cult, and Shota in...
as Pregnant Woman
Production notes
Jonathan Rhys-MeyersJonathan Rhys-Meyers
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is an Irish actor and model.He is best known for his roles in the films Velvet Goldmine, Mission Impossible III, Bend It Like Beckham, Match Point and his television roles as Elvis Presley in the biographical miniseries Elvis, which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor,...
was originally cast as the villain Edgar, but was forced to leave the production due to other film commitments.
At Cannes in 2005 it was announced that 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
had purchased the North American theatrical rights, plus other key territories in what was the largest deal between a major American studio and a New Zealand film.
Perfect Creature is the sixth most expensive New Zealand film ever made after The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
films, The Frighteners
The Frighteners
The Frighteners is a 1996 comedy horror film directed by Peter Jackson and co-written with his wife, Fran Walsh. The film's cast includes Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, John Astin, Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, Jake Busey and Chi McBride...
and The World's Fastest Indian
The World's Fastest Indian
The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical film based on the Invercargill, New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified Indian Scout motorcycle...
respectively.