The Voices is a 2020 dark comedy thriller directed by Tara Subkoff, which blends psychological horror with elements of black comedy. The film stars Kaley Cuoco, known for her role in The Big Bang Theory, in a more dramatic and unconventional role as a woman named Jackie who struggles with a troubled past and a chaotic present. Set against the backdrop of a glamorous yet eerie world, The Voices examines themes of mental illness, identity, and the effects of trauma, all while mixing humor with disturbing moments. Despite its unique premise and Cuoco’s strong performance, the film’s uneven tone and pacing hinder its overall effectiveness.

The plot of The Voices revolves around Jackie, a woman who is grappling with emotional scars from her past. She has recently started a new job at a high-end spa and is trying to rebuild her life after a series of personal setbacks. As Jackie’s struggles with her past begin to resurface, she begins to hear voices and sees hallucinations of anthropomorphic animals that communicate with her. The voices seem to reflect her inner turmoil and confusion, leading her to make erratic decisions. As the film unfolds, Jackie’s mental state becomes more fragmented, and she must confront her darkest secrets in order to break free from the grip of her psychological demons.

Kaley Cuoco’s performance as Jackie is one of the standout elements of the film. She shows a great deal of range, moving from comedic moments to deeply unsettling scenes with ease. Cuoco successfully captures the fragility of her character, conveying the complexity of someone who is both charming and deeply disturbed. However, the script sometimes undermines her performance by introducing elements of absurdity that make it difficult for the audience to fully connect with Jackie’s emotional journey. While Cuoco delivers a compelling portrayal, the film’s inconsistent tone occasionally detracts from her ability to fully anchor the story.

One of the central themes in The Voices is mental illness and its impact on a person’s life. Jackie’s psychological struggles are at the heart of the film, and the voices she hears are an outward manifestation of her inner chaos. The film explores how trauma, particularly unresolved emotional wounds, can shape a person’s perceptions and actions. However, The Voices sometimes struggles to maintain a clear focus on this theme. The blending of horror, comedy, and psychological drama results in a narrative that feels uneven, making it difficult for the audience to fully understand Jackie’s psychological state and how to interpret her experiences.

The film’s tone is another area where The Voices falters. It tries to balance dark humor with horror, but this mixture doesn’t always work. At times, the absurdity of the talking animals, who seem to speak directly to Jackie, detracts from the more serious aspects of the story. The humor is quirky but often feels out of place, especially when juxtaposed with moments of horror and psychological trauma. This tonal inconsistency undermines the emotional depth of the film, making it harder for the audience to engage with Jackie’s struggle in a meaningful way.

Visually, The Voices uses surreal and distorted imagery to reflect Jackie’s deteriorating mental state. The anthropomorphic animals that communicate with her are rendered in a strange and unsettling way, adding to the sense of disorientation. The production design and cinematography effectively convey the tension between Jackie’s internal and external worlds. However, despite the film’s visual flair, the story’s pacing leaves something to be desired. The film sometimes lingers too long on certain scenes or goes off on tangents that slow the narrative, making the viewer question the direction of the story.

In conclusion, The Voices is a film with an intriguing premise and a standout performance by Kaley Cuoco. It tackles important themes like mental illness and trauma but is hampered by an uneven tone and pacing. The blending of dark comedy and psychological horror makes the film difficult to fully engage with, as it never quite commits to either genre. While The Voices offers an interesting take on the psychological thriller, it ultimately leaves the viewer with more questions than answers, and its inconsistent execution may prevent it from leaving a lasting impact. Despite its flaws, it remains an ambitious film that may appeal to viewers interested in unconventional narratives and performances.