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Performances are grounded and realistic, as both Pinder and Cline create sharply believable characters whose interaction shifts between a wide range of moods, from antagonistic to sympathetic and much more. Pinder's Pat is a nice-guy monster, while Cline's nervous Trick reveals real depth in a range of scenes, especially in a wrenching sequence involving aversion therapy. Even Pat knows he crossed a line there, which leads to some rather harshly pointed soul-searching. But is thinking you're doing the right thing a valid excuse?

It's no surprise that Trick feels lost, when he's been manipulated in such a deeply personal way. "If Jesus was alive," Trick tells Pat, "he would never forgive you for this." So where this story goes is layered and important, carrying a provocative wallop in its raw take on the subject matter. And while there's horror inherent in the central narrative, it's in the second half when the more cinematic nastiness emerges. And the inventive use of lighting and practical effects is impressive.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

26.Aug.24

Kunicki is engaging as Lou, who knows he no longer belongs here, but is drawn to hanging out with his old friends. He also remembers how things turned dark and went wrong between them. Armstrong plays Anders as swaggering and confident, although it's unclear why, and the group of men around him are never developed in a meaningful way. So working out who's whom is virtually impossible.

"We're all wolves," Anders says, "circling and snapping at each other." There's a question of whether the band's dark music sparks violence or mirrors it in society. And the film's most intriguing angle has to do with friendships between men as attitudes and culture shift and change through the years. The film's enigmatic approach never allows the themes to develop in a particularly meaningful way, but there are plenty of striking ideas and images along the way.

themes, language, violence

26.Aug.24

The actors skilfully capture the detail of their stereotypes, camping them up while also offering subtly insights. In the central role, Myers nicely plays Mandy as a girl who prefers for others to think that she's dumb, when she's not. Jeyam's no-nonsense Jamie has an even darker edge, willing to push people as needed. While Ray's Ethan is cocky and controlling, Miller makes Nicole an internalised true believer. And White adds emotion as a young man who takes all of this to heart.

While clearly made on a very low budget, the film inventively bends the genre, keeping the viewer off balance, with no idea where it might go next. Scenes are packed with odd touches that lead to inexplicable events. As things get increasingly violent and nasty, the film doesn't quite make sense, but Armstrong's approach is so bold that it holds the interest, even when the properly grisly violence begins to feel as gimmicky as the scrambled narrative.

themes, language, violence

8.Sep.24