The Voices

Ryan Reynolds is endearing and utterly terrifying all at once in this blackly comic portrait of a serial killer. Iranian director Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis), skilfully veers between comedy and tragedy, portraying the world through the gently rose-tinted spectacles of Jerry, her psychotic antihero. He seems happy enough in his small-town existence until an unfortunate series of events leads him to decapitate the girl he fancies. Gemma Arterton sparkles in that role, even when reduced to a talking head in Jerry's fridge, and Anna Kendrick is on form, too, as the girl who takes a shine to him. The plot is a little too tailored to draw sympathy for Jerry, but the overall approach is daring and Reynolds offers a wonderfully funny, vivid and harrowing portrayal of insanity. He talks to his pets and they talk back - Reynolds does some brilliant voice work, especially for his Scottish tabby cat - and when he's finally forced to confront reality, it comes as a hard and palpable blow. The unusual mix of laughs, lunacy and a touch of melancholy ensures The Voices will stick in your head.