While the idea behind this low budget horror-thriller certainly is intriguing.
The execution is really quite bad.
As the acting- including from Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte- is particularly dreadful.
With a poorly constructed plot.
And writing that is mediocre at best.
The whole thing comes off as a film school project.
Which is a shame.
Because, given a bigger budget, and some more seasoned direction...it could have had potential.
The main problem I had with it all...is the dubious psychology around which the entire story is based.
It's never fully explained.
While the paranormal aspect of it is incredibly confusing.
On top of this, the sequences flashing back to highschool either needed to be redone...or scrapped altogether.
Because they just don't work.
It's just not believable watching these mid 30's actors pawn themselves off as teenagers.
With the act Mitte's character has repressed making literally no sense whatsoever.
Which kind of ruins everything.
Because, while they do adequately explain it via several twists.
The fact he wouldn't have gone to the police about it just isn't plausible.
So, using it as the crux of the storyline was an incredibly poor decision, in my opinion.
As it squanders what little the film had going for it.
Which wasn't much to begin with.
You can tell they thought they were being clever with the multi-twist ending.
But it's hard not be upset by it's fatal flaw.
Because it was totally possible to rework the entire plot, around the ending, so as to completely avoid these complications.
Making it all feel a bit lazy...or, at the very least, forced.
Because...while you might not see the ending coming.
It's just not a rewarding experience.
And felt like they drew the conclusion out a bit long for what it was.
When they could have ended on a high note.
But it is what it is.
3 out of 10.
The execution is really quite bad.
As the acting- including from Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte- is particularly dreadful.
With a poorly constructed plot.
And writing that is mediocre at best.
The whole thing comes off as a film school project.
Which is a shame.
Because, given a bigger budget, and some more seasoned direction...it could have had potential.
The main problem I had with it all...is the dubious psychology around which the entire story is based.
It's never fully explained.
While the paranormal aspect of it is incredibly confusing.
On top of this, the sequences flashing back to highschool either needed to be redone...or scrapped altogether.
Because they just don't work.
It's just not believable watching these mid 30's actors pawn themselves off as teenagers.
With the act Mitte's character has repressed making literally no sense whatsoever.
Which kind of ruins everything.
Because, while they do adequately explain it via several twists.
The fact he wouldn't have gone to the police about it just isn't plausible.
So, using it as the crux of the storyline was an incredibly poor decision, in my opinion.
As it squanders what little the film had going for it.
Which wasn't much to begin with.
You can tell they thought they were being clever with the multi-twist ending.
But it's hard not be upset by it's fatal flaw.
Because it was totally possible to rework the entire plot, around the ending, so as to completely avoid these complications.
Making it all feel a bit lazy...or, at the very least, forced.
Because...while you might not see the ending coming.
It's just not a rewarding experience.
And felt like they drew the conclusion out a bit long for what it was.
When they could have ended on a high note.
But it is what it is.
3 out of 10.