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Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 113 min · English
Echo score 60
JustWatch #17,587 8
Directed by
Dan Gilroy
Starring
Daveed Diggs, Billy Magnussen, Jake Gyllenhaal, Toni Collette, Natalia Dyer, John Malkovich
Budget
$21M

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.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Velvet Buzzsaw
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)

Where can you watch Velvet Buzzsaw? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Velvet Buzzsaw Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Morf Vandewalt (Jake Gyllenhaal)

    Morf is a highly influential and opinionated art critic whose views can make or break artists' careers. He is charismatic yet deeply self-absorbed, often caught up in the superficial aspects of the art world. As the story progresses, Morf's character undergoes a transformation, confronting the true nature of art and its consequences.

    • 🎨 Critique
    • 💔 Vanity
    • 🖌️ Influence
  • Rhodora Haze (Rene Russo)

    Rhodora is a savvy gallery owner driven by ambition and the allure of high-value artworks. She exemplifies the transactional nature of the art world, often prioritizing profit over integrity. As events unfold, Rhodora becomes entangled in the tragic consequences of her decisions, highlighting the peril of unethical choices.

    • 💼 Ambition
    • 🎭 Manipulation
    • 💔 Consequences
  • Josephina (Zawe Ashton)

    Josephina is a local artist who unwittingly becomes involved in the dark legacy of Vetril Dease's paintings. Her initial excitement about showcasing the artworks shifts to horror as she realizes the dangers they bring. Josephina's character portrays the naivety of artists who yearn for recognition yet may be oblivious to the costs associated with success.

    • 🎨 Aspiration
    • 💔 Innocence
    • 😨 Ignorance
  • Piers (John Malkovich)

    Piers is an established artist whose acclaim places him among the elites of the art community. He is portrayed as both a mentor and a cautionary tale, representing the struggles artists face in maintaining originality in a commercialized world. Piers' character grapples with the impact of the dark legacy that the stolen paintings carry.

    • 🎨 Legacy
    • 💔 Struggle
    • 🌪️ Turmoil

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:12

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Setting

Where and When Does Velvet Buzzsaw Take Place?

The setting of Velvet Buzzsaw (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film does not specify a particular historical time period, but it captures the contemporary art scene. The modern setting highlights current themes in the art world, particularly the obsession with commercial success and the darker aspects of artistic creation. It reflects recent societal trends regarding art and morality.

Location

Miami Beach

Miami Beach is a vibrant coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and bustling nightlife. It's also a hub for art and culture, hosting various art events, including the renowned Art Basel. The juxtaposition of scenic waterfronts and modern art galleries make it an appealing destination for artists and art enthusiasts alike.

  • 🏖️ Miami
  • 🎨 Art Scene

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:12

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3 major themes

Velvet Buzzsaw Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Art & Morality

    The movie explores the complex relationship between art and the morality of its creators and consumers. It questions whether beauty can justify unethical behavior, particularly in the pursuit of profit. As the story unfolds, the consequences of exploiting art for monetary gain become apparent, leading to a chilling conclusion.

  • Death

    A recurring theme is the connection between art and mortality, with the stolen paintings bringing fatal consequences to those who exploit them. The narrative illustrates how the creation of art can stem from pain and suffering, ultimately leading to a cycle of violence. The story serves as a warning against commodifying creativity at the expense of human life.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal runs deep within the professional relationships among the characters, where trust is abused for personal gain. Morf's relationships with his peers are tested, particularly as greed overrides their genuine appreciation for art. This theme emphasizes the darker side of ambition and the lengths individuals may go to for success.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:12

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Character & theme questions

Velvet Buzzsaw Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Velvet Buzzsaw (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Velvet Buzzsaw set?

The movie is set in Miami Beach, Florida, a city renowned for its vibrant art scene and prestigious events like Art Basel. The coastal setting provides a glamorous backdrop that contrasts with the dark events unfolding among the art world's elite.

  • miami beach
  • art basel
  • setting
  • art world
  • location
Q2

What time period does Velvet Buzzsaw take place in?

The film is set in the contemporary modern era, reflecting today's art world and its current obsession with commercial success. This present-day setting allows the movie to directly comment on recent trends in the art market and the increasingly transactional relationship between artists, collectors, and critics.

  • contemporary
  • modern era
  • art market
  • time period
Q3

What is the main theme of Velvet Buzzsaw?

A central theme is the relationship between art and morality, exploring whether beauty can justify unethical behavior in the pursuit of profit. The film critiques those who exploit artistic talent for personal gain, showing how commodifying creativity leads to devastating consequences.

  • art morality
  • commercialism
  • exploitation
  • art world corruption
  • theme
Q4

How does Velvet Buzzsaw explore death and art?

The film connects art directly to mortality, with stolen paintings bringing fatal consequences to those who exploit them. The narrative portrays creation as stemming from pain, and the story warns against commodifying creativity at the expense of human life.

  • death
  • paintings
  • cursed art
  • mortality
  • consequences
Q5

How does betrayal factor into Velvet Buzzsaw?

Betrayal runs deep among the characters, where professional relationships are tested as greed overrides genuine appreciation for art. The film shows how the pursuit of success causes characters to betray each other, emphasizing the darker side of ambition in the art world.

  • betrayal
  • greed
  • ambition
  • relationships
  • art world
Q6

Who is Morf Vandewalt in Velvet Buzzsaw?

Morf Vandewalt is a highly influential art critic played by Jake Gyllenhaal, whose opinions can make or break artists' careers. He is charismatic but self-absorbed, representing the superficial power dynamics within the art world. As the story progresses, Morf confronts the true nature of art and its consequences.

  • morf vandewalt
  • jake gyllenhaal
  • art critic
  • influence
Q8

Who is Josephina in Velvet Buzzsaw?

Josephina is a local artist played by Zawe Ashton who becomes involved in the dark legacy of Vetril Dease's paintings. Her initial excitement about showcasing the artworks shifts to horror as she realizes the dangers they bring. Josephina represents the naivety of artists who yearn for recognition but may be oblivious to the costs of success.

  • josephina
  • zawe ashton
  • artist
  • vetril dease
  • paintings
Q9

Who is Piers in Velvet Buzzsaw?

Piers is an established artist played by John Malkovich, placing him among the elites of the art community. He serves as both a mentor and cautionary tale, representing the struggles artists face in maintaining originality within a commercialized world. Piers grapples with the impact of the dark legacy carried by the stolen paintings.

  • piers
  • john malkovich
  • artist mentor
  • art world elite
Q10

What is the supernatural element in Velvet Buzzsaw?

A vengeful spirit emerges in the film, targeting those who exploit artistic talent for personal gain. This supernatural force punishes the greedy and arrogant within the art world, exacting a gruesome price for the commodification of creative genius.

  • supernatural
  • spirit
  • curse
  • painting
  • vengeful
Q11

What does Velvet Buzzsaw say about the art world?

The film serves as a dark satire exposing the dark side of the art world, where collectors, critics, and artists prioritize profit over artistic integrity. It critiques how the obsession with commercial success corrupts creativity and leads to exploitation, ultimately delivering a message about karmic justice.

  • art world critique
  • satire
  • commercialism
  • exploitation
  • art market

Movie threads

More Movies Like Velvet Buzzsaw, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Velvet Buzzsaw tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Supernatural karmic horror movies like Velvet Buzzsaw

Stories where vengeful supernatural forces punish the corrupt and greedy. If you liked the vengeful spirit in Velvet Buzzsaw, explore more movies like it where supernatural forces enact karmic punishment. These horror and thriller stories often feature greedy characters facing gruesome, inescapable fates, blending terror with a sense of dark justice.

  • supernatural horror
  • vengeful
  • karmic justice
  • tense
  • gruesome
  • moral reckoning
  • Tone: dark, vengeful, tense
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Movies in this thread follow a clear cause-and-effect structure: a transgression (like greed or exploitation) triggers a supernatural curse or entity. The plot then unfolds as the characters, who are often morally compromised, are systematically hunted down or eliminated by this unseen force, leading to a conclusion that feels like inevitable retribution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared premise of supernatural vengeance as a driving plot force. They combine high-intensity horror with thematic critiques of human flaws like avarice, creating a cohesive experience of dread and moral reckoning.

Genre satire thrillers similar to Velvet Buzzsaw

Films that use horror or thriller elements to sharply critique a specific world or industry. Looking for movies like Velvet Buzzsaw that blend satire with horror? This list features thrillers and horror films that use their genre elements to sharply critique specific worlds, such as the art scene, fashion, or corporate culture, often with a darkly comedic and deadly tone.

  • satirical
  • darkly comedic
  • social critique
  • tense
  • industry expose
  • thriller
  • Tone: darkly comedic, satirical, tense
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves introducing a cast of characters who are deeply embedded in a specific, often superficial or cutthroat, ecosystem. The genre elements (monsters, killers, curses) then manifest as a direct consequence or exaggeration of that world's flaws, dismantling the system and its inhabitants through a violent or supernatural lens.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their dual identity: they deliver on genre expectations while simultaneously functioning as incisive social commentary. The shared experience is one of recognizing real-world absurdities amplified through a dark, thrilling, and often humorous filter.

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Movies Like Velvet Buzzsaw

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Every angle

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Velvet Buzzsaw in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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