Not the easiest film to find, I’d wanted to watch this for a while after the trailer did what all good trailers should do. I’m hooked to start, with a opening shot that’s held uncomfortably long, ambitious considering the overall thrifty run time. It’s stark with a retro grade and worn VHS look. The minimal aesthetic really appeals, but there’s something missing, there’s very little warmth or investment in the characters, with a palatable dirt on screen that permeates everything. For all the tension being ramped, the grime, the editing, the hyper scripted dialogue, it all slowly pulls apart. Despite it’s stunted plot of a devilish nature and generally undesirable characters, there are some pluses. The score being one, reminiscent of an 80s slasher flick, it’s definitely the films strongest asset. The European art house feel makes it feel cinematic, intentionally confusing in nature. Scenes built around slow creeping shots, almost entirely on one set, with often inactive people, waiting. Director Tillman Singer clearly has a thing for Lynch. As things progress it does manage to find its feet, with a second act reminiscent of a small theatre play, time frames overlapping, lines twisting through their own narrative into others, it’s wonderfully bonkers, albeit a tad overplayed. It’s all precursor to a truly off the wall finale, that although ambitious, really just doesn’t work and ends in a bit of a disjointed mess. It really doesn’t live up to its trailer, but I’m still pleased I gave it a go.
6/10
