User Reviews

I haven't reviewed a film on Imdb in several years, but this one is worth a few words. First of all, I found the writing to be very good, full of wit and timing. That's what impressed me most... that and the acting of the lovely Lorrisa Julianas. I was so pleased when I found out she was the writer as well. Low budget, yes, but the writing is what elevates this film. Please don't be thrown off by the ridiculous low ratings, it's actually pretty good entertainment.

The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is a solid, well acted film that is very effective. Although I think the movie could have been a bit shorter overall, the characters are unique, and it turned out to have more emotion than I expected which made for a powerful film. The cinematography was excellent along with the writing. Check it out.

I sat down to watch the 2020 movie "The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater" in 2021, without ever having heard about it. But the title of the movie and the synopsis made it seem like a movie that could be interesting.

Turns out that "The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater" was an incredibly slow paced and monotonous movie. It was a movie that offered very little in terms of proper entertainment value for me.

And it was a shame, because the concept idea behind the movie was definitely interesting. But the execution and transition from script papers to screen just didn't fare all that well.

This is definitely not a movie that I will recommend you sit down to watch as a first choice of movie for an evening, because the movie just fell short of really being interesting. Nor is it a movie that I will ever be returning to watch a second time, as it was painful to get through it the first time around.

The characters in the movie were, for the most parts, adequate. It wasn't a character gallery that overly prompted me, as a viewer, to take a particular liking or anything to any of them. Why? Well, simply because the characters were lacking background stories and motivation. It felt very superficial with the character that were milling about.

It should be noted, though, that they had put together a relatively good ensemble of actors and actresses to perform in the movie. Just a shame that they had so little to work with.

Ultimately then "The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater" just failed to be a well-rounded and fulfilling movie. My rating of this 2020 movie from writer Lorrisa Julianus and director C. J. Julianus lands on a less than mediocre four out of ten stars.

I'm a big fan of Shannon Brown and I've seen a lot of this work. When he shared this on facebook I was excited to check it out. It wasn't at all what I anticipated as I assumed Shannon was the star of the movie as I've grown accustomed to seeing him as the lead in most things he's cast in. It's very clear from the jump that the star of this movie is Lorissa Julianas. And when I say star, she explemplifies this in every way possible. I've seen her before in a few of the films featuring Shannon, but not like this. She leaves no doubt that she is more than capable of carrying a movie. She is strong, vulnerable and funny and she plays the overqualified genius to perfection. The male lead O'Sullivan is strong as well, a very likeable character that you want to pull for that is worthy of leading man status and I have no doubt we'll be seeing more of him. Then Brown's character which is more of strong supporting role but a role I've never seen him play before as he plays the heroin's gay best friend. This would be an easy role to play campy, over the top and cheap but there is nothing cliche' about his portrayal. Brown showcases his range once again as his choices are very refined, nuanced and still hysterical which meshes wonderfully with the high brow comedy, high society theme of the overall story. I assume the gay community will appreciate that. But as much as I am a fan, Julianas clearly steals the show and I have no doubt we'll see her carrying a movie again in the future. I commend her and her husband, first time director Cj Julianas, for creating a perfect piece to showcase Lorissa's immense talent while still delivering high quality indie fare. There is very little to criticize with this movie. A couple of the performances didn't quite hit home and the pacing could use a little boost in some areas but these are minor issues that barely take away from the overall viewing experience. This will certainly be one of those movies I watch again.

Well its low budget movie but why its almost 2 hours long and many boring unwanted scenes. some has really weird n awkward acting which should be edited. maybe because of bad direction ? ..

In start or cover of movie , it seems like it would be somekinda SEX comedy but nothing much in it. not even a nude scene .

anyhow, she is really hot n good looking actress, i hope she get some good movies in future.

Pretty fare movie. Obviously made on a shoestring, but palpable. I've seen much worse.

The lead characters look great onscreen, music in the movie was quite amazing. Story could have been condensed...a bit hard to follow, lots of extra scenes and subplots I didn't care about as a viewer.

Still love the idea of the film (dominatrix who is also an art historian), the marketing (trailer, log lines) doesn't match the actual film. I didn't feel like there was any chemistry between the priest and "Mistress Maneater," so the dialogue between them was fairly flat...The male lead frankly, had a beautiful smile and that was about it, he took up way too much screentime with really poor acting. Ultimately the film took on a bit too much. It was part romantic comedy, part mystery without enough substance to pull off either one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this indie-romantic-action comedy. Why? It's easier to explain when I discuss reasons I don't enjoy films categorized similarly.

Camp vs Cringe: There is nothing worse than secondhand embarrassment when watching a comedy. I will quickly give up on a film if it becomes cringey rather than funny. Mistress Maneater is definitely over the top and troupe-y at times, but they were self aware enough to stay firmly in the camp category. There was one moment in particular that I howled with laughter due to the subversion of expectations.

The audience is treated as intelligent: I will be the first to say, I hate comedies that are solely low-brow/gross out style. Mistress Maneater has elements of art history, religion, and lesser spoken about world history/events framing the story. And it's delivered in a way that assumes the audience doesn't need their hands held to understand it. It grounded many of the character motivations in a broader reality, which was appreciated.

Foreign language: I happened to watch this with a friend who is a native Russian speaker. He confirmed that while some of the accents were a bit off (and 1 spot on), the dialog was actually Russian instead of "film Russian" - a common complaint for him. Many major studio films do not make the effort, so kudos for making the effort!

Is this the best film of 2020? Of course not - it wasn't trying to be. It's a fun romp! And in 2020, something to just enjoy is very welcome.

The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is a new release indie that I discovered on Prime. The bold plot has elements that feel a bit like a throwback to films I loved -- part comedy, drama, caper, and romance. Our lead has 30 days to pay back her debt and is forced to extort a priest when she discovers his hidden masterpiece. The film may have some understandable indie imperfections, but it's a solid effort and I really liked the performances of the lead actress, Lorissa Julianus I believe. Worth a watch for appreciators of indie film.

I won't lie, upon only half paying attention reading the plot of The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater. The words that stuck out were "Mafia" "Ex lover" "Extortion" "You have 30 days" "Embezzled Art collection" "MMA fighting priest" and of course "DOMINATRIX.... who plays by her own rules" ( I added that last part but it's true!!!) All those words that stuck out reading the summary, decided the trailer deserved my attention. To which it usually doesn't go past that point. ESPECIALLY With medium budget indie films. But they somehow made it to the next round. Renting It wasn't going to break the bank, and I said "hey! if I don't like it? I'll just turn it off, maybe try again later, or get done some of the work I need to do and have it as background noise... needless to say I'm behind on said work... I'm sorry! I really don't want to come across as arrogant or like my opinion is valid. Because we all know those who can't do anything become film critics. But I truly didn't think I was going to like this movie as much as I did. I'm going to buy the flick regardless, but honestly debating whether I should just but the digital or seek out a physical format of the movie (which is what I prefer, I don't know, owning a movie you're able to hold just means more to me.) The final chapter in the adventure of a movie and it's fate of either getting screened or reamed... well... it's writing a review... and here we are. Keep in mind, even if I think a movie is watchable, I usually won't bother writing a review. Note, even movies I think are terrible where my review is to purely warn others, even at that, the review is still a few short sentences of "do not do this to yourself! I watched it already! I was violated by this movie so you didn't have to be as well" There's so much that goes into why this movie deserves to be appreciated. The writing, the production, the acting, all done down to a T with precision and perfection. Obviously this movie didn't have a mega block buster budget, but given what they were given with what they were able to give. It was able to keep me invested without noticing it wasn't a Marvel Movie. Especially the acting. (When I watch movies I like to watch the background actors. It goes unnoticed when you're fixated on the characters the scene is centered on, as you normally should. But when you focus on the substance of whats going on behind the context, and the actors in the background who's characters don't have an existence beyond these few short moments. Who they are and how their story won't and doesn't mean anything. Are just a cog in the machine, an algorithm, their story isn't suppose to exist. Most of the time it causes you to find a glitch in the matrix and they look like background actors. But I didn't feel that way watching The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater. The acting is what truly made this film intriguing and able to be invested in. Especially and nothing without out Lorrissa Julianus. Lorrissa's performance bringing to life and portraying the character of Ava Moriarty, the story's main protagonist. Was not only believable, but give me butterflies, and at times give me butterflies. Let's just say if Ava was in my life? I would forget the safe word on purpose. I'm mostly familiar with Lorrissa's voice involved in a great deal of my favorite video games and small roles in movies like "Marked" "the husband" and "every 21 seconds". The charm, wittiness, and sense of humor her charisma projects on screen (not to mention absolutely gorgeous). She is truly underrated in her field and well on her way to becoming a DOMINATING force in the indie world. I highly recommend The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love...

Ava Moriarty is a really memorable, bigger-than-life character, convincingly and luminously portrayed by Lorrisa Julianus.

I think Ava should star in her own Hallmark Movies & Mysteries series, with emphasis on her as academic prodigy and art/history expert. Unfortunately they, i.e. the Hallmark brand, would probably shy away from her striking and hilarious dominatrix dimension.

Impressive how the artwork featured in the plot was done by the lead actress herself.

Not really satisfied with both main characters' backstory, "big reveal's." Came off as forced and unbelievable. The overall resolution of the plot was another head-scratcher--WTF! It felt like the writer or production ran out of time/money and just threw away the ending.

I do hope though to see more of and by Lorrisa Julianus. She's a real talent.

This was a fun story! The film features a unique protagonist, a dominatrix, in what can be viewed as a comedy, mystery, romance, and noir. It is a true independent film, which gives it charm and a unique voice. Some moments felt a little talky, and at times the lighting and color feel amateur. But it's easier to look past that, knowing the filmmakers put their heart and soul into this project. Nothing about this feels "cookie cutter" or manufactured for quick cash. You can tell there is a lot of heart involved behind the scenes.

A nice couple of hours. Movie plot has most of the main characters out of their comfort zone and they come across that way. Good Acting or Good Casting can't say for sure. Enjoyed it enough to keep an eye out for the actors in future work. And I'm not connected to the show in any way.

I am unsure what film those who gave this a less than glowing review were watching.

Auteur, scriptwriter, and star Lorrisa Julianus, director, C. J. Julianus, and a stellar cast have created a fun, fast-paced, and well-crafted adventure story that also doesn't shy away from its more serious subplots. Ms. Julianus is blessed with precise comic timing, a deep understanding of art, and the physical presence to present herself as an object of desire, all without taking herself too seriously. Her co-star, Mickey O'Sullivan, also does a terrific job with his role as the leader of his failing church.

The script is literate and entertaining, and time spent with Ava, the charming protagonist of the piece, is time very well spent.

Here's a fun tale of redemption. Two souls Ava Moriarty and Father Radovan are trying to atone for their past. We learn Ava's career as an art scholar was derailed by a tragic event many years prior. To pay down a related mafia obligation, she reluctantly takes on fetish work. She's a dominatrix with a high IQ and low body count; the perfect combination to charm and uncover priest Radovan's dark secrets.

Overall this indie romantic comedy works well, despite pacing issues. Some scenes could have been edited for greater efficiently. Nonetheless, it's fun watching Ava and Radovan break down each other's emotional walls and fall in love.

The best part about this movie is that it's sweet, it's simple and yet has a highly intriguing story! Lorrisa was exceptional in her portrayal of her character in the film and defined all odds. It is surely a must watch movie. Go for it!

I'd heard good things about this movie, so I gave it a shot without really knowing what to expect. At first, I thought it might be too raunchy for my taste. I quickly realized, though, that the filmmakers were subverting those expectations and doing something refreshing and different. Voice-over is extremely well utilized in this film, granting us clever and telling insights into the mind of our unique hero. The cast is excellent, especially the leads (Kudos to Lorrisa Julianus for not only playing the lead but also writing AND editing this film!), and the direction is often inspired. It's a funny, suspenseful, and surprisingly touching film that is definitely worth your time.

I loved the humor in this film. It doesn't try to be anything you don't want it to be, but at the same time it feels fresh and unique. It's very well written and the protagonists have really good chemistry! It's a really nice Rom-Com to watch.

The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is very off-beat and ambitious ride that is part romantic comedy and part drama. A rather noticeable shift in tone helps the film to not stagger in its momentum and keeps it fresh for its duration.

In some ways familiar, TMoMM has enough going for it that it stands well on its own- taking tropes from the genres that its inspired by and given them their own unique spin.

The cast deliver all around and Lorissa Julianus is sexy, sassy and femme fatale-y whilst demonstrating that a pretty face and such profession shouldn't be judged by appearance.

An enjoyable watch.

Fun movie that takes a look at the troubles of a dominatrix, who we find suffers from the same challenges we all do. The plot bobs and weaves it's way through some fun and funny scenes. Lorrisa Julianus does a wonderful job in bringing the character to life. Worth a watch for a little escapism.

The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is an action, drama and a comedy - all-in-one. Spiraling around the traditional money vs decency dilemma, the film however has a very intriguing plot and reveals a lot of very dark secrets in the lives of the characters. I liked that the tense dramatic moments were often finished up with sarcasm and humor, saving the film from going too far into the dark end.

I learned that she also wrote the screenplay, edited and co-produced this movie which is very impressive.

I also enjoyed the voiceover narration that gave us a glimpse into Ava Moriarty's soul and added a lot of depth to this character.

It kept me engaged all the way through. Lots of funny moments, great fight scenes, dynamic and original characters. Highly recommend watching this film!

If you're looking for a fun film to fill your Friday evening, you could do worse than this indie flick!

What does an art historian do when she's caught up in a dangerous scheme involving political figures, underworld figures, massive loans and an episcopal priest? Well, you'll have to watch the film to find out, but it's an hilarious adventure well worth a look!

While it certainly doesn't have the budget of your average Hollywood film, the production values, acting and directing are better than your usual indie film - and the story line as fun and enjoyable as any film I've watched in recent memory.

I really enjoyed the tone and humor of this indie film. It's hilarious from the start, but it's the drama and "more than meets the eye" characters that kept me engaged all the way through. The two leads really shine and the plot really covers a lot of genres: comedy, drama, and rom-com with a bit of mystery to go with it. I really enjoyed it!

Nice performances and a good story with a nice blend of comedy throughout. I am a sucker for a cool title and this film turned out to be a fun indie surprise. Check out Mistress Maneater!