I only seem to review indie films on here. This is a solid B thriller. Classic plot, vaguely predictable twists, but well done.
The script doesn't call attention to itself. The cast is unremarkable and unknown. These sound like criticisms but they're not. Usually this kind of low budget "horror" contains moments where the audience cringes in second hand embarrassment for the cast or writer, not here. A big budget version of this with a name cast and a polish to the dialogue is easy to imagine.
But while there are no lows, it also didn't have the occasional and surprising highs I associate with watchable mumblegore. The film quality leaves something to be desired. I know it's digital but some films overcome that. Many scenes were hard to see clearly. Some potentially striking imagery was too muddy to land effectively. The camera work is solid but there was just nothing distinctive about the look, in contrast to You're Next or House of Last Things or (to go old school and even more unfair) Halloween or Blood Simple.
A higher end version would also have a better soundtrack/score to create atmosphere. The sound design that is there is quite good, knowing when to let us hear only something truly unpleasant.
It's not uneven but I found myself occasionally wishing it was. If this director goes on to the big time I won't be surprised but I also won't expect flashes of brilliance based on this outing.
The script doesn't call attention to itself. The cast is unremarkable and unknown. These sound like criticisms but they're not. Usually this kind of low budget "horror" contains moments where the audience cringes in second hand embarrassment for the cast or writer, not here. A big budget version of this with a name cast and a polish to the dialogue is easy to imagine.
But while there are no lows, it also didn't have the occasional and surprising highs I associate with watchable mumblegore. The film quality leaves something to be desired. I know it's digital but some films overcome that. Many scenes were hard to see clearly. Some potentially striking imagery was too muddy to land effectively. The camera work is solid but there was just nothing distinctive about the look, in contrast to You're Next or House of Last Things or (to go old school and even more unfair) Halloween or Blood Simple.
A higher end version would also have a better soundtrack/score to create atmosphere. The sound design that is there is quite good, knowing when to let us hear only something truly unpleasant.
It's not uneven but I found myself occasionally wishing it was. If this director goes on to the big time I won't be surprised but I also won't expect flashes of brilliance based on this outing.
