Touch of Evil: Cinematic Villainy

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The New York Times Magazine has done it again. On a similar production note as Fourteen Actors Acting, they've commissioned Alex Prager to direct (and photograph) Touch of Evil, a most spectacular video series showcasing classic wicked archetypes. Starring 13 of the best 2011's got to offer, each of these is simultaneously surreal and chilling.

Some of the character inspiration is pretty obvious: Brad Pitt channels Eraserhead, Ryan Gosling plays the Invisible Man, Rooney Mara recreates A Clockwork Orange—but if the others leaving you wondering as they did me (in that maddening way), check out this breakdown. They spell out the character profiles fairly well with nice supporting quotes from the talent, but I'm still unclear what movies they borrowed from to portray The Homewrecker and The Fire Starter (two of my favorites).

More on Prager, her work and writing about her at Artsy.net.