Year: 2019
Runtime: 113 min
Language: English
Director: Dan Gilroy
A darkly comedic thriller unfolds as a supernatural force emerges, punishing those who exploit artistic talent for personal gain. When a series of mysterious deaths plague the Los Angeles art scene, a tight-knit circle of collectors, critics, and artists find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and terror. The vengeful spirit seems to be targeting the greedy and arrogant, exacting a gruesome price for the commodification of creative genius and exposing the dark side of the art world.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Velvet Buzzsaw yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The story begins by following the renowned art critic Morf Vanderwalt, who is known for his strong opinions and the influence they hold over the art world. As he attends the grand opening of an exhibit in the vibrant Miami Beach, he mingles with notable figures in the industry, including gallery owner Rhonda Haze and established artist Piers, alongside various patrons who appreciate avant-garde art.
The plot thickens when Josephina, a local artist, stumbles upon the lifeless body of her neighbor, the troubled artist Vetril Dease. Exploring his studio, she discovers an array of captivating paintings amidst the remnants of others he desperately attempted to destroy. Intrigued, Josephina decides to showcase these pieces to Rhonda, unaware of the dark legacy that accompanies them.
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Dease’s life was fraught with torment, leading him to a mental asylum where he sought refuge. Following the reveal of his artwork, an uncanny series of deaths begins to plague those associated with the stolen paintings. Rhonda, in a bid to inflate the value of the pieces, orchestrates a strategy to create artificial scarcity by eliminating some of them.
This decision triggers a cascade of horrifying events; the individual tasked with moving the artworks meets a brutal end, and a hopeful art collector faces a similarly gruesome fate. Unbeknownst to Morf, the critic soon realizes that these paintings are imbued with a dark essence—truly “Art to Die For.” Sadly, by this time, it’s far too late for him and Rhonda, as the paintings exact their bloody revenge on those who sought only to profit from their beauty.
As the credits roll, viewers witness a glimpse of an alternative fate through the lens of an artist who managed to escape the art world’s sinister grasp; he chooses to create art that resonates with his spirit instead of succumbing to the lure of monetary gain, truly embracing the essence of originality.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:04
Still wondering what the ending of Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the ending of Velvet Buzzsaw, the supernatural force linked to the disturbed artist Ventril Dease has claimed the lives of those who tried to exploit his work. Morf Vandewalt is attacked at his storage facility by a robotic sculpture possessed by Dease’s spirit, which kills him by snapping his neck. Meanwhile, Josephina is lured into a mysterious art gallery where the paint from Dease’s paintings magically covers her, transforming her into part of a mural—symbolizing her obsession with profit and her ultimately being consumed by the art she sought to control. Rhodora narrowly escapes death when her artistic greed is thwarted, but Dease’s spirit still finds a way to exact revenge by killing her through the magical Velvet Buzzsaw tattoo on her neck, reflecting the last remnants of her former artistic identity. The film reveals that Dease’s spirit is rooted in his traumatic past—his mother and sister dying in a fire, his abuse, and his years of isolation and experimentation—ultimately infused into his paintings through his own blood. This darkness allows his spirit to animate and control his art after death, making his paintings a conduit for his revenge. The final scene shows Coco fleeing the chaos, as Dease’s paintings end up in the hands of homeless vendors on the streets—meaning the murderous curse might still propagate. The film’s closing image is a peaceful yet ambiguous painting of a sunset with children, potentially hinting at Dease’s lost innocence or a reflection on childhood trauma. The credits feature Piers, a former artist, drawing sand circles on a beach—his release from the cursed art world and acceptance of art as fleeting and transient, leaving the story’s meaning open to interpretation. Ultimately, the film blends horror, satire, and commentary on greed and artistic obsession, with the supernatural serving as a dark mirror to the destructive nature of exploitation and obsession in the art world.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
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