Chad and Scarlet are moving to a new city to start a new life. Things weren't so good in the old one. Chad has run up some debts and some bad men will stop at nothing to get their money. How Chad and Scarlet clear this marker is slowly revealed throughout the film. On the way to their new life Chad once again fouls things up and falls asleep at the wheel, causing a crash. Now on foot, the couple seek refuge in an old farmhouse where they are welcomed at first - and tortured next by the occupants - Lilith and her husband Samael. The cruel duo seem to know something of Chad and Scarlet's past and are exceptionally skilled torturers.
The movie is not without any redemption. The production value was good. The acting was fine - though the characters themselves had little to offer. Screen writing 101 - if you want the audience to dislike a character simply have him gamble away all his savings and run up a huge debt - placing his family in mortal danger. Chad is a weak, ineffective character. His wife Scarlet is little better. So out of the gate it's difficult to root for them. However, one does hope they'll prevail if only to vanquish the true evil doers in the film - of which there are two sets; the largely unseen thugs threatening to kill Chad and his wife if they don't pay Chad's gambling debts and the duo of Lilith and Samael. Spoilers: But there is no vanquishing here. Evil prevails. The thugs get their blood soaked money and, save a brief few minutes of screen time, Lilith and Sam maintain the upper hand. We, the audience, are given not a single frame of film to breath. From the opening sequence to the end credits, the movie is depressing and/or tension filled. Shakespeare wrote that the audience must be allowed at least three moments in each play to breath and laugh. Farmhouse failed to deliver even one. I fear this is a sin I have committed a few times in my own efforts to make a film and am now sensitive to it.
The movie is not without any redemption. The production value was good. The acting was fine - though the characters themselves had little to offer. Screen writing 101 - if you want the audience to dislike a character simply have him gamble away all his savings and run up a huge debt - placing his family in mortal danger. Chad is a weak, ineffective character. His wife Scarlet is little better. So out of the gate it's difficult to root for them. However, one does hope they'll prevail if only to vanquish the true evil doers in the film - of which there are two sets; the largely unseen thugs threatening to kill Chad and his wife if they don't pay Chad's gambling debts and the duo of Lilith and Samael. Spoilers: But there is no vanquishing here. Evil prevails. The thugs get their blood soaked money and, save a brief few minutes of screen time, Lilith and Sam maintain the upper hand. We, the audience, are given not a single frame of film to breath. From the opening sequence to the end credits, the movie is depressing and/or tension filled. Shakespeare wrote that the audience must be allowed at least three moments in each play to breath and laugh. Farmhouse failed to deliver even one. I fear this is a sin I have committed a few times in my own efforts to make a film and am now sensitive to it.