OnDemand viewing on August 24th in Chicago. Colin Minihan writes and directs this thriller/horror film about a couple that celebrate their first anniversary together in a remote family cabin (never a good thing) and one them isn't what they seem.
Jackie (Hannah Emily Anderson) and Jules (Brittany Allen) go Jackie's family cabin in the remote wood to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. They seem like a loving couple when a visitor shows up and addresses Jackie as "Megan" and gives a little exposition about Jackie/Megan's past. Suffice to say that Jules isn't happy with Jackie's explanation and rows across the lake to get more backstory about her partner. Turns out there's a lot she doesn't know. On a walk in the woods the next day as Jackie apologizes for not telling Jules about her past, she shoves her off a cliff. However, Jules manages to survive, although badly injured. This starts off a very interesting game of cat and mouse.
This is a very interesting film. The tension builds nicely and you get a bit of a surprise ending. There is also some majestic cinematography of the Canadian wilderness. The film received a 71% Rotten Tomatoes rating which seems a bit low but understandable. There are plenty of slasher film tropes to go around; Jules goes upstairs when being chased, she ham handedly warns the neighbors which leads to disaster and she even escapes, is home free but turns back. Anderson is really good a sociopath. She's capable of love and warmth but boy can she turn it around.
This is a low budget film so it's not in wide release. It is worth watching if you can find it. Apparently the film originally called for a husband and wife but when the male lead had to back out, they made the change. Normally I would be wary of a male directing a film with lesbian overtones but the substitution works.
No comments:
Post a Comment