We were heading into the unknown on the final day of FrightFest. Much of the the line-up’s content had been shrouded in mystery, especially in the case of TOWER BLOCK, which made its world premiere.
Thankfully, there was a diamond in the rough, but the rough was vast and inescapable…
After
Director: Ryan Smith
Cast: Steven Strait, Karolina Wydra, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Ric Reitz, Jackson Walker
Plot: Two bus crash survivors awake to find they are the only remaining signs of life. As a strange black fog slowly envelopes their town, they attempt to unravel the mystery, but time is limited and bloodthirsty creatures await them beyond the darkness.
Horror Highlights: The concept of waking up to find you are alone in the world is not the most innovative. Contrary to that, the reasons for these two characters’ situation do highlight a largely untapped area, and Strait and Wydra give surprisingly believable performances for the most part, bringing two inherently flawed characters to life.
Gory Gash: The main creature is almost a carbon copy of a ‘wretch’ from the popular game franchise, GEARS OF WAR. Furthermore, the denouement lacks conviction. It seems indecisive when considering whether to go one way or the other, so it remains teetering on a lukewarm middle ground which is ultimately dissatisfying.
Overall: A solid metaphor for facing your inner demons, and a testament to the human capacity to adapt and overcome, AFTER is suspenseful, but would benefit from a more satisfying conclusion. Also, if they had to borrow a character from another imagination, they could at least have made it an obscure one.
Chained
Director: Jennifer Lynch
Cast: Vincent D’Onofrio, Eamon Farren, Julia Ormond, Jake Weber, Conor Leslie
Plot: Sarah and her nine-year-old son Tim’s trip to the cinema ends in disaster when Bob, a cab driver who picks them up, brutally murders Sarah and enslaves Tim. Now a reluctant protégé sculpted by an emotionally wrecked serial killer, Tim (aka ‘Rabbit’) must either follow in Bob’s footsteps or risk his life trying to escape.
Horror Highlights: A thoughtful depiction of a broken human being, CHAINED examines the inevitable recurring cycle of pain that abuse yields. D’Onofrio forcibly corrupts the viewer’s mind, and almost provokes sympathy at times, in a nuanced performance that examines the reasons behind Bob’s actions, as well as the actions themselves.
Gory Gash: The only questionable aspect of the film is whether it should be considered a horror. The realistic premise, the vivid detail and understanding with which it is realised, and the gritty setting make it feel more like a bleak thriller.
Overall: D’Onofrio and Lynch are a formidable team, and have produced a film that will probably leave you hugging your knees, rocking back and forth, whilst trying, but failing, to remove Bob from your world-weary mind.
The Possession
Director: Ole Bornedal
Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis, Madison Davenport, Grant Show
Plot: Newly divorced Clyde and Stephanie Brenek’s youngest daughter, Emily, becomes strangely obsessed with a box covered in Hebrew inscriptions she buys at a yard sale. A dark spirit begins to slowly commandeer the child, forcing the family to investigate what it is, what it wants, and how the hell they’re going to get their daughter back.
Horror Highlights: A few amusing moments, mostly deriving from parts that were intended to scare, as well as a promising turn from young actor Natasha Calis, are the only positives to be taken from an otherwise frustratingly bland horror.
Gory Gash: The generic writing allows you to frequently foresee the dialogue and action before it happens, and it borrows too heavily from several classics including THE EXORCIST, THE THING and CARRIE.
Overall: Formulaic, frivolous, tired and laughable. The latest in a spate of ‘possession’ films made over the last decade to thoroughly disappoint. Is it not time to leave the subgenre alone for a while, try something new, then, if necessary, come back to it later when we’ve thought of something different to add to it?
Tower Block
Directors: James Nunn & Ronnie Thompson
Cast: Sheridan Smith, Russell Tovey, Jack O’Connell, Ralph Brown, Jill Baker
Plot: A tower block ironically named ‘serenity house’ is due to be demolished, but several occupants remain, awaiting re-housing. A deadly sniper booby-traps and obstructs the exits to the block, before picking off the residents one by one from a nearby location, but what is their underlying agenda?
Horror Highlights: Smith is competent as the strong female lead, and O’Connell complements the cast with his endearing and darkly amusing – if stereotypical – role as the rude boy with a heart. However, a momentous start soon begins to fade away.
Gory Gash: The revealing of the killer is hugely disappointing, illogical and leaves you with that sinking feeling. Their motives for such extreme behaviour are ropey, hypocritical, and it simply doesn’t sell.
Overall: An exciting premise is wasted as the tenuous layers peel away to leave you with a pitiful excuse for a climax.
Check out all of our FrightFest 2012 coverage here!
