Have to say from the get go, because it is a Shudder movie, this is not a horror film. That being said, I embarrassingly can not put on my finger on what I would call it. It does have some jump scares though I would say they are not gratuitous, they just add to the tenor of the scene for the most part.
The idea of the film was original enough for me to be interested, but I still thought I could rightly predict how it's all going to go down. While I was right a few times, I was wrong enough so that I was really engaged throughout. That's good, because there a few (only a few) sequences where the less-attentive among us might reach for the phone.
It seems like it is partly a study of how fear rules our life, but it's not fussy or pretentious about it. No it doesn't, but that is a central tenet of the film. It's also about guilt, fear and, well, these parts of everyone's life.
It's just a very good story that was very well directed with some actors who I recognize but could not name delivering very good performances. It's funny, I watched Don't be Afraid of the Dark last night and Guy Pearce, who I personally rate as an actor, was outclassed by everyone compared to his performance in that movie.
I will say I wonder if having two directors kind of kept it from being more focussed on a particular genre. The locations they used were excellent and truly added to or complimented every part of the movie. I would like to see this premise explored in a few different ways, with each focussing on a specific genre, as I don't know of a great many movies very similar to it.
Bottom line is either make time for it or don't turn the channel if you find it coming on. You won't be dissapointed.
The idea of the film was original enough for me to be interested, but I still thought I could rightly predict how it's all going to go down. While I was right a few times, I was wrong enough so that I was really engaged throughout. That's good, because there a few (only a few) sequences where the less-attentive among us might reach for the phone.
It seems like it is partly a study of how fear rules our life, but it's not fussy or pretentious about it. No it doesn't, but that is a central tenet of the film. It's also about guilt, fear and, well, these parts of everyone's life.
It's just a very good story that was very well directed with some actors who I recognize but could not name delivering very good performances. It's funny, I watched Don't be Afraid of the Dark last night and Guy Pearce, who I personally rate as an actor, was outclassed by everyone compared to his performance in that movie.
I will say I wonder if having two directors kind of kept it from being more focussed on a particular genre. The locations they used were excellent and truly added to or complimented every part of the movie. I would like to see this premise explored in a few different ways, with each focussing on a specific genre, as I don't know of a great many movies very similar to it.
Bottom line is either make time for it or don't turn the channel if you find it coming on. You won't be dissapointed.