Great storytelling might be ENDANGERED elsewhere but not when it comes to this film

 ENDANGERED 
(THRILLER) 

A ride-share driver finds herself in unexpected danger after picking up a mysterious passenger who is not what he appears to be.

• Director
  • Drew Walkup
• Writers
  • Adam Armstrong 
  • Marcus Devivo
• Stars
  • Lizzie Zerebko 
  • Michael Olavson 
  • Edward Craig

WHAT THIS MOVIE DOES WELL: This was one of my Top 5 Indie movies of 2020. I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing it out on the film festival circuit when it first made its rounds as "Fox Hunt Drive". So not only am I extremely excited to go more in depth as to why it became a favorite of mine but also excited at the mere aspect of celebrating it for persevering and getting out their to the masses. This is a movie that is well acted, well directed, well designed, and very nicely written. An obvious winning package to any criteria of best movies to be sure. 

So what makes that so? 

It always starts with the writing, but moreover with Endangered its more about the design that writing's narrative frames. What I mean is Adam Armstrong and Marcus Devivo's script has so much meat on it and the beats are so well defined it creates an atmosphere for all involved to sink their collective teeth into and thus we as an audience benefit greatly for it . 

What Producer/Director Drew Walkup has done with those words is finely tuned a narrative that is so seamless and clever, it leads you one step at a time, to what is one of the better endings there has been in any film, not just Indie, in quite a while. The mood and the movement or sometimes lack of movement with static 2 shots and even some nice close ups, really suck you into a tug of war for control that fosters dread, suspense, and intrigue; sometimes all three at once. The use of shadows, and lights and colors when necessary furthers all of that with the maestro stroke that seemingly feels like a left handed guitarist playing their instrument upside down and the audience marveling at it enough to have to go back and re-watch all the subtilties and nuances. Almost kind of like trying to figure how the magic trick is done. 

This all really gets "driven" home by 2 incredibly strong, powerhouse performances from Lizzie Zerebko and Michael Olavson. These actors become strange dance partners that riff and step within and around one another like a beautiful terrifying old school Italian or Russian Opera. The kinds that are so dark and twisted that there is this weird beauty in it. The small things Lizzie and Michael do to create and enhance the audience mood as we watch this, whether its a look, a hesitation, a subtle movement of their hands or eyes are done with the type of precision and forethought that makes it all seem unconscious. It's also those fun Easter eggy type things that  almost force a re-watch or rewind. All of this is so masterful by both of these amazing actors that you get lost in feeling what is happening more than registering the rational to be thinking about this or that plot point. 

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of juice in this lush fruit of a plot, but it's that sort of slight of hand I ended up really gravitating towards and thus had to watch the movie a couple times myself just to appreciate all of it.      

In fact I might have loved this movie more watching it the few more times I did. Just so I can settle my own peace of mind with all that you experience here. A testament to a cast and crew that really worked hard to give you something amazing. 

WHY CHAMPION THIS MOVIE:  If you are in Indie Film in any manner, this is the film that you can look at and go this what its all about. At the end of the day this movie is all about making a plan and executing the plan and sometimes it takes some time to do just that. The sheer will of its cast and crew, Drew Walkup especially, to make this film be seen by the masses deserves a look. I won't be surprised if it then sucks you in and makes you watch it again and again just to reaffirm what you saw.  

 

YOU CAN RENT/BUY IT HERE