(HORROR/THRILLER)
SYNOPSIS: After Max and Avery meet on a social media app for a first date, they end up at a haunted house only to realize the trauma they share may either save them or erupt into an unforgettable nightmare.
WHAT THIS MOVIE DOES WELL: In many ways the atmosphere that's created through interesting visual filters and a very gritty opening 35 minutes flairs this stylistic opaqueness that really lures you in as a viewer. Almost like as if a Jim Jarmusch smart dialogue driven type narrative collided with a Tobe Hooper 1970's horror film hue that looked like a hazy hot Texas day, that then got wrapped in with David Lynch-esque obscure weird symbolisms and disjointed, awkward conjunctional quotable phrases. You know a typical indie movie. Okay, yes that last line was sarcasm. This movie is anything but typical really and that's kind of what keeps you in it. I think the way that the director Robert Rippberger commands your attention with these very almost subtle homages creates this very editable stew that even as frayed at the edges as it might seem, pushes a purposeful and engaging movie. Furthering that are the choices BooBoo Stewart and Scarlett Sperduto choose to let this atmosphere be their playground while keeping true to cadence of the dialogue and the vagueness of the action where it leads to a big reveal moment that tumbles us into the 3rd act. This acting prowess really allows the narrative to hum, wherein lesser hands it just might stall and sputter out. These actors might be on the young side but they are both veterans in terms of the list of credits between them and that level of experience really helps the audience sit up and pay attention too. Still as much as we are engaged because of their level of experience we are equally mindful because its almost seems that Robert wants to utilize their instincts and craft to sell the blind date aspect even that much more. A very smart choice for all involved, including the audience. It becomes a great way to further the narrative and really hammer home the big reveal. What is even more impressive is how the interesting above concoction style morphs and turns into a little more to conventional horror style that some of us remember from a bygone time in Horror. Helping that a lot are the introductions to pivotal 3rd act characters like Bryson JonSteele who plays Rudy, Nils Allen Stewart who plays Rotcreep, and Grant Morningstar who plays Phillip, all have their moments to really settle us in. This film utilizes tropes and filmmaking technique tricks that are not unique per say but done so in a very interesting and unique way and that really makes all the difference when you experience a movie like this.
WHY YOU NEED TO CHAMPION THIS MOVIE: I think there are so many styles and fun aspects that any cinephile would find at one point or another incredibly amusing and interesting. I think though the mass appeal of the story overall will be how well the ones in front of the camera really play with the vision set forth behind the camera and I think it unique enough and done so well that there will be something for everyone who is into the genre. I think most horror would appreciate the lengths this goes to to set up the horror you were hoping for while still giving you an experience you may never have had before.
YOU CAN SEE THE MOVIE HERE
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