(Full disclaimer: I did a few days on this shoot as a production assistant, so I may not be completely impartial. Having said that, I've watched - and occasionally been involved with - quite a few Hex Studios shoots over the years, and this definitely stands out as one of their best.)
The Vance Institute benefits hugely from a smart and efficient script, which does an excellent job balancing the characters and keeping up a quick pace. Little time is wasted, as the film effectively builds the tension during the opening before suddenly (and quite dramatically) escalating the stakes.
Some brilliant design work in the sets and costumes really sell the premise, and Tom Molloy's effectively sinister subversion of a "self help guru" dominates the film, leaving a sense of dread hanging over every scene. The strong cast are served well with a particularly effective ending, with quite a few unexpected conclusions to the character arcs.
As much as I enjoyed the film, I would definitely have preferred to see the film in full colour. Having been on set during filming, I know how striking the visuals were - particularly the red tracksuits - and I would have loved seeing that colour on screen. This could simply be a matter of personal preference, though, as the monochrome visuals are strikingly bold and lend the film a 'classic horror' feel.
If you enjoy psychological horror and dark subject matter, then this is definitely worth a watch.
The Vance Institute benefits hugely from a smart and efficient script, which does an excellent job balancing the characters and keeping up a quick pace. Little time is wasted, as the film effectively builds the tension during the opening before suddenly (and quite dramatically) escalating the stakes.
Some brilliant design work in the sets and costumes really sell the premise, and Tom Molloy's effectively sinister subversion of a "self help guru" dominates the film, leaving a sense of dread hanging over every scene. The strong cast are served well with a particularly effective ending, with quite a few unexpected conclusions to the character arcs.
As much as I enjoyed the film, I would definitely have preferred to see the film in full colour. Having been on set during filming, I know how striking the visuals were - particularly the red tracksuits - and I would have loved seeing that colour on screen. This could simply be a matter of personal preference, though, as the monochrome visuals are strikingly bold and lend the film a 'classic horror' feel.
If you enjoy psychological horror and dark subject matter, then this is definitely worth a watch.