Multi-hyphen writer, director and actor PJ McCabe was the star of 13 Cameras (also known as Slumlord and Landlord in the UK). The film was followed by a sequel, 14 Cameras (also known as I See You); whilst McCabe was not involved in that one, he has returned for the latest instalment in the series, 15 Cameras. This time around McCabe is on writing duties, and his script marks a series high in the indie franchise.
15 Cameras joins married couple Cam (Will Madden) and Sky (Angela Wong Carbone) on their first night in their new apartment. Rather than being the cosy celebration that Cam was envisioning, their evening is spoiled by Sky’s obsession with new true-crime show ‘The Slumlord Tapes.’ Fans of the both 13 Cameras and 14 Cameras will recognise the footage in the documentary as being from the previous films. The creepy landlord who enjoyed covertly filming his tenants has now garnered infamy. Sky’s fascination with the show is spurred by the fact that the couple have just bought one of the landlord’s former properties.
Whereas the Landlord has previously formed the bulk of the focus of the previous two films, he is now believed dead. 15 Cameras instead explores Sky’s growing obsession with the true-crime show and how it impacts upon her relationship with Cam. At the same time, 15 Cameras hones in on Cam’s own changes. The building that the couple have purchased comes with a spare apartment and whilst preparing for tenants to move in, he discovers a nest of monitors all screening live footage from both apartments. Having previously believed that the properties had been checked and cleared as camera free, this comes as a shock to Cam. However, rather than alert the police or Sky, he finds himself tempted to watch…
As 15 Cameras progresses it becomes less of the home / privacy invasion of the other two films and instead analyses humanity’s voyeuristic tendencies. Cam is a complex character, and over the course of the film he slowly begins to morph into a 2.0 version of the landlord. It’s a fascinating perspective to follow, and much like Cam with the footage, it’s hard for the viewer to turn away from Cam’s actions. As he becomes seduced by the perceived ‘power’ that watching the live-streams gives him, he is emboldened and starts to walk a dangerous line. More interestingly, Cam starts to manifest insecurities. For example, his initial glee at catching himself and Sky in an intimate scenario, turns to agonising embarrassment. The exploration of a man struggling with his masculinity is a similar theme to that explored in The Beta Test, which McCabe co-wrote and directed.
The tying together of all the ‘Camera’ movies seen here is seamless. The true-crime documentary is the perfect vessel for their linkage. This documentary also allows for some cheeky cameo appearances from several cast members from previous chapters. By connecting all three films together, 15 Cameras comes full circle and it feels as if this is a natural conclusion to the series. If it were to be the last, 15 Cameras would be a very solid high upon which to end the series.
15 Cameras
Summary
A genius new direction for the series, 15 Camera has plenty of food for thought.
15 Cameras will be available On Demand and in selected Los Angeles cinemas on Friday 13th October.
