Shadows on the Wall

Together

dir-scr Michael Shanks
prd Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Julia Hammer, Tim Headington, Max Silva
with Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Damon Herriman, Mia Morrissey, Karl Richmond, Jack Kenny, Francesca Waters, Aljin Abella, Sarah Lang, Ellora Iris, Charlie Lees, MJ Dorning
release US/Aus 1.Aug.25, UK 15.Aug.25
25/Australia 1h42

SUNDANCE FILM FEST

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After a yucky prologue involving a couple of dogs and a mysterious cave, this Australian film steps back to establish its central characters with a strong dose of honesty that adds emotional resonance to the unhinged horror that follows. Writer-director Michael Shanks adeptly keeps the audience on edge using freaky jump scares and inventive practical effects. It's a skilfully made film laced with intriguing suggestion and full-on grisliness.

Musician Tim (Franco) is scared but also excited about moving to the countryside with his teacher girlfriend Millie (Brie), and they hope this reignites a spark in their relationship. Adjusting to small-town life, they meet neighbour Jamie (Herriman), a teacher at Millie's school. Then on a hike in the woods, they fall into a creepy cavern. After returning home, they find things begin getting literally sticky between them. And Tim develops a debilitating anxiety about being away from Millie. He's also beginning to realise that there's something pulling them far too close to each other.

Even as some serious nastiness begins to emerge, the script smartly builds a deeper sense of who these people are and the connection between them. Tim has hideous night terrors that begin to bleed into his waking hours, leaving him unable to function. Millie can't help but see this as a symptom of his rock-star wannabe haplessness. But what's happening here is both stronger and more elemental than that. And the film depicts this in outrageously creative ways that are eye-catching and often stomach-churning.

Real-life couple Brie and Franco have terrific on-screen chemistry, adeptly playing the low-level strain this likeable couple is trying to overcome. Their connection is strong, even as they recognise a sense of awkwardness between them. And while the supernatural weirdness is only adding to their issues, they perform it with a terrific balance of love and concern. Meanwhile, the down-to-earth Herriman's perhaps too-friendly Jamie is a pointed wild card in their new country life.

There's a clever matter-of-fact tone to this film that continually tries to dismiss the increasingly nutty things that are happening here. So the ways Millie and Tim react to this mind-boggling situation are genuinely more interesting than the escalating suggestions that it has its root in some sort of bizarre woodland cult. And it's the film's astonishing, grotesque imagery, with an added Spice Girls flourish, that is likely to make this a cult classic.

themes, language, violence, sexuality 5.Aug.25

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