If It Bleeds Review

“If It Bleeds” Review      

Phoebe Brackett

              “If It Bleeds” is likely a reference to the phrase, “If it bleeds, it leads” [1]. This phrase refers to the idea that “if a story involves a brutal death or injury of some kind (or the likelihood of it), it is likely to get higher ratings” [1]. Such a concept could be extended to other types of negative news, such as scandals and gossip. In this way, the aforementioned film encompasses both literal bleeding (that which occurs in the MMA fight itself) and figurative bleeding (that which is caused by scandal). The peanut gallery’s habit of gnawing away at a celebrity’s image is, indeed, a form of bloodlust. After all, the public loves the brutality and grit of a bloody fight—yet a bleeding reputation is so much sweeter. 

              Two instances of public scandal in the film are drug use and defeat. For instance, the film shows people on their phones, reacting to the news that one of the fighters was caught using drugs. One of them calls him a bad guy; they seem to be holding back a laugh. Further, a man the fighter that everyone hates him, and urges the people on their phones to take part in the hatred. In a later scene, the fighter apologizes. Yet nearby commenters mock him and tell him that he sounds fake. This mockery sharply contrasts with the fighter’s apparent emotional pain. It is almost surreal to witness the juxtaposition between one person’s turmoil and the spectators who see that turmoil as an entertaining joke. Another fighter, who has the reputation of being ‘tough,’ loses a fight. This begs the question: which is worse for the fighter, the defeat itself or the resulting humiliation? In response to her defeat, a woman tells the fighter to explain herself and apologize. She complies, but begins to cry. It is as if her ‘tough’ image is crumbling. It is her downfall—a downfall which the spectators gobble up ravenously. Nearby spectators (including the woman) watch her and make snide comments, seemingly amused. Once again, there is a contrast between the fighter and the spectators. If those same people saw someone crying in real life, they would likely comfort them. However, the crying fighter is in the public eye. Thus, she is not seen as a person ‘in real life;’ all of the fighters in this film are treated as pieces of media which emit ‘entertainment.’ In this way, the audience is perhaps urged to reflect on their own opinions of those in the public eye.

              The film itself feels unreal, as if it takes place in nightmarish funhouse. The shots seem fast and blunt. This is fitting, as it matches up with the seemingly shallow, one-dimensional judgements carried out by the public and the media. Further, the ‘trippy,’ awkward dialogue alludes to a duplicitous reality. For example, a woman removes her wig and instructs the fighters to cry and throw shoes—thus alluding to the phrase “if it bleeds, it leads.” Ultimately, “If It Bleeds” is a film which uses simple (yet clownish) props and haunting personalities to illustrate the theatrical performance created by MMA fighting. 

Sources:

1. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IfItBleedsItLeads