This is Rusky newb writer and director Arseny Syuhin's first full length feature film, with 6 prior short films. The 115 min runtime was way too long with many long dragged out and unnecessary scenes. There was too much filler for the little substance. I'm thinking this one should've also been a short, or cut down to 80-90 mins.
It's a poorly developed storyline, with a sloppy and convoluted screenplay, riddled with plot and technical issues. The "scare" effects of flashing red lights and steam blowing when you walk by were worse than a portable Halloween funhouse. Walking through the corridors reminded me of the first PC Doom game from the 80's. I really did like the production and set pieces though, and that elevator was nice and sketchy af, but that's about it. The rest felt like a 1980's drive-in watching The Blob or The Thing.
Syuhin's directing was adequate, but his scenes were too melodramatic and long, and the black & white and washed out colors were annoying. The score was actually decent, and the cast and performances on point. It's a decent one-time watch if you're bored on a Sunday night and a fan of this genre. It's a generous 7/10 from me.
It's a poorly developed storyline, with a sloppy and convoluted screenplay, riddled with plot and technical issues. The "scare" effects of flashing red lights and steam blowing when you walk by were worse than a portable Halloween funhouse. Walking through the corridors reminded me of the first PC Doom game from the 80's. I really did like the production and set pieces though, and that elevator was nice and sketchy af, but that's about it. The rest felt like a 1980's drive-in watching The Blob or The Thing.
Syuhin's directing was adequate, but his scenes were too melodramatic and long, and the black & white and washed out colors were annoying. The score was actually decent, and the cast and performances on point. It's a decent one-time watch if you're bored on a Sunday night and a fan of this genre. It's a generous 7/10 from me.