Written, Directed & Edited By: Ti West
Cinematography By: Eliot Rockett
Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Greta Gerwig, Mary Wornov, Dee Wallace, AJ Bowen, Lena Dunham
At first I avoided watching this film, I had heard from many people that the film was quite slow but still a good film so I believed I would have to be in the right mood to watch it so it sat on my shelf for months until I picked it up again and decided to watch it. Originally I was going to watch it as a double feature with the film I SELL THE DEAD since they were both released by Glass Eye Pix Productions, But I found that film so fast and enjoyable I wanted to watch something similar to it and not something that would drag. After having seen this I made a great error. I could have been enjoying two great films in one night.
This film achieves something that is rare in a film. It not only manages to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. But it fills most of it scenes with so much tension that it makes you uncomfortable though little is actually happening on screen.
It is rare a modern film not only wins me over so fast but I can instantly proclaim in my mind that it will be a instant classic for me. I feel strong about the film so fast. The film stays with you after you watch it.
It also is a perfect homage to the horror films of the 80’s the more positive aspects of them not so much the cheesy ones. Even down to the credits. It is atmosphereic and thrilling. The film has a simple story very little to no dialogue barely any violence and still manages to scare you. One of the aspects that makes it feel this way is that there is very little cheating we don’t learn things before the character does so we have the same suspicions and fear that she does. The more she learns we more we can start putting the puzzle pieces together. Though the film is a homage partially. It has something to say while staying original.
The movie revolves around a college student in the 80’s who needs money fast to pay the rent on a new apartment o she decides to take a babysitting job from a flyer around her campus. She is driven to the big house to find out she is not babysitting a child but a elderly person. That is all I will say as it is a film that deserves to be experienced fully. The film achieves way past expectations. It perfectly recreates the 80’s not as a spook or for nostalgia but it is based in the 80’s for a specific reason playing on the fears that were a common plague during that era. Almost like a urban legend come true in much more dramatic fashion.
The film would be nowhere as good as it is without the amazing debut performance of Jocelin Donahue in the leading role she sells the character and the situations as terrifyingly real and believable. The film was shot in only 18 days and features frequent zooms on the characters. A technique usually used in 80’s horror films. These days they would use a dolly more for those scenes and sequences, but it shows it’s willingness to emulate films of the 70’s and 80’s of the same genre.
This is a film that makes no compromises in it’s vision. It could have easily gone the way of Cheap Scares, Excess gore or nudity. Instead it stays true to itself and knows the payoff is worth it. The film takes a slower pace but you never feel bored.
The director is Ti West. While this is not his first film he proves himself to be a talent to watch. Especially as he has mostly made movie sin this genre he shows a clear understanding of it and a great respect for it. The films he has made are not the typical horror films but more about suspense and characters. Not flashy like a lot of directors who more busy themselves with impressing the audience through visuals and scares, instead of steady storytelling and believable characters. He seems to have an affinity for the times that have passed when setting his films. It maybe because with todays technology it is a big disposition to wonder with all the cell phones computers with cameras and such no one knows better or can’t contact one another to inform them. Before all of this technology was introduced it was possible to be more anonymous which was great for horror films as at there hearts they are mysteries. These days it gets harder and harder to sell that to a audience that has the means to get answers in there hands all the time.
Mary Wornov was coaxed to come out of retirement to be in this film. Her presence gives the film a credibility.
It’s one of those films where I wish I hadn’t seen it so I could discover it and experience it allover again. Preferably on the big screen.
A definite Addition to the film library go out now and get it as soon as possible.
GRADE: A+
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