I like it when a horror film doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares but would rather dig its claws in with dread that creeps beneath the skin and this movie pretty much leans into the latter. With a premise that’s as anxiety-inducing as it is fascinating, this film creates an atmosphere where fear becomes a physical limitation. I went in expecting a solid, tense thriller, it delivered but not more than I expected anyway.
Synopsis(no spoilers)
Iris(Kelsey Asbille) is a grieving mother who lost her son during a hike in the woods. But, she is thrust into a twisted experiment, when she goes to the woods where her son was buried for memorial and to also end her life as it seemed worthless to her. There, she encounters Richard(Finn Wittrock), a sadistic killer who injects her with a mysterious paralytic agent. The more she moves, the faster it numbs her movement support system.
Review and Rating
Well, I won’t say I entirely enjoyed every scene in this movie but I’ll just talk about the best part for now. I like it for how it effectively builds tension without relying on over-the-top effects or elaborate set pieces. The horror is internal. It’s centered on Iris’ physical and emotional struggle to remain calm while facing a threat. She gives a performance that is impressively restrained, yet emotionally charged. You literally feel her terror, her frustration and her fragile determination with every labored movement.
Finn Wittrock is cold. I couldn’t have guessed at his first appearance that he was the villain. He is calculating and almost detached, which somehow makes him more terrifying. He’s not chaotic compared to other broken psychos; he’s methodical and that coldness drives the film’s atmosphere. That said, his character could’ve used a little more backstory or motive beyond “twisted science experiment.” But maybe the lack of explanation adds to the horror. I guess bad things sometimes happen without a reason.
Visually, the film is pleasing. The lighting, low, shadowy, amplifies the sense that Iris is alone in her quest for survival. It’s not really a visually flashy movie, but it doesn’t need to be right? The tension lies in stillness.
Now, the pacing is what I didn’t quite enjoy, especially towards the climax. Also, I expected a twist that would stick with me longer but it still wraps up well enough anyway.
I honestly don’t think this movie was trying to be a horror blockbuster. It is minimal, smart and unsettling in its own way. Its strength lies in the simplicity of its concept and the emotional intensity of its lead performance. If you enjoy psychological survival stories that play with your nerves, this one should be worth your time.
Directed by Adam Schindler & Brian Netto
Rating: 4/5
