The Perfection

Charlotte, a talented cellist, halts her musical ambitions to care for her sick mother. This sacrifice defines her early life as she struggles to balance her passion for music with familial responsibilities.

Following the death of her mother, Charlotte finds herself yearning to reconnect with her musical roots. This pivotal moment sparks her decision to reach out to her former mentor, Anton, seeking guidance and a return to her passion.

Anton, now running the renowned Bachoff music school, invites Charlotte to join him in evaluating young cellists. This invitation reignites Charlotte's hope for a future in music and sets the stage for her journey.

At the auditions, Charlotte meets Lizzie, a standout pupil of Anton's. Their instant connection develops into a friendship marked by mutual respect and admiration for each other's musical talent.

After the auditions, Lizzie and Charlotte take a bus trip across China, celebrating their bond. However, the night of celebration leads to a hangover that complicates their journey the next day.

While on the bus, Lizzie's worsening hangover leads to a frantic request for a stop. What follows is a chaotic moment where Lizzie violently vomits, revealing a swarm of insects inside her.

In a shocking twist, Lizzie discovers that the insects are actually under her skin. Driven by panic and desperation, she takes a drastic action and amputates her own hand with a chopper.

Weeks later, Lizzie arrives back at Bachoff school, burdened with physical and emotional scars. Flashbacks reveal that the hallucinations she experienced were caused by a drug Charlotte had given her instead of real painkillers.

Heartbroken, Lizzie begs Anton for re-admission but faces a cold rejection, as she can no longer perform. This moment of betrayal heightens the tension between the two women who once shared a bond.

Consumed by rage, Lizzie seeks retribution against Charlotte in Minneapolis, using a stun gun to incapacitate her. This act of revenge brings their strained relationship to a boiling point.

Lizzie brings Charlotte back to Bachoff, where Anton questions Charlotte’s intentions. Flashbacks unearth the trauma Charlotte faced in pursuit of musical perfection under Anton's oppressive regime.

Anton issues Charlotte a harsh ultimatum: play flawlessly or face dire consequences. As Charlotte attempts to meet this demand, a single mistake leads to severe repercussions from Anton.

In a shocking turn of events, Lizzie poisons the drinks of the men who are watching Charlotte perform. This act of bravery leads to the demise of those who once oppressed them, turning the tide.

With both women armed with kitchen knives, Lizzie and Charlotte confront Anton in a climactic showdown. Their injuries from the struggle reflect their struggles against oppression and abuse.

The film closes with a poignant cello concert performed by Lizzie and Charlotte. Although both are physically scarred, their music showcases resilience, captivating their disfigured audience—Anton, forced to listen in silence.