G. Patrick Condon is director and screenwriter in his first bizarre feature film that contains one simple premise what would you do to film your movie if you squander the budget from some ‘shady investors’. Hence enter the phrase and style found in self-aware films, similar to Cabin in the Woods (2011), My Little Eye (2002) and even Scream (1996), which one expressed by his smart script and the characters and since the story/plot concept fairly is basic, I shall try to avoid spoilers.

While the storyline follows G. Patrick Condon (Stephen Oates) trying to save his project and likely his life, from his potential unhappy money backers, he downs a few beers and comes up with a plan for a snuff-like movie. Just a few security cameras, locked doors, some actors, and send them pages to the unplanned script over an undetermined course of time. Some of the cast enjoy the self-aware and self-discovery of the actors, the free flow of experimentational horror display, others are becoming immerse in the characters. It takes the element of found footage to another level, the cameras position for obvious intended reasoning, and yet it explores a very real psychological experiment entitled BSO (Behavioral Study of Obedience) from 1963, in which students in effect are in pain or supposedly cause discomfort on unforeseen individuals, Condon is not the first filmmaker to venture down this path, however he does an effective film and story of usage, with a horror twist. The actors discuss the honor credit payments and other tactics in film, that are sometimes playing less than porn and even goes to mention how sometimes scenes can become demoralizing, and a negative path to stardom, even hints to the tragic end of Alex Jordan’s life. One key character to watch for is Grace (M. J. Kheller (Cold Wind Blowing [2019])), who portrays a first-time actress on the first project, her timid position excludes her unsureness, as she finds trying handle the role difficult on the set and a horror production, as others intimidate and have more knowledge. The movie has a fair amount of blood, gore and violence, while never truly deploying any comedic moments, thereby leaving the tension at a high level, and delivering a series of chaotic  movements.

The script encourages moneys to of the cast dissecting of our treasured horror genre and yet more critical on the business side, while discussing the low budget independent struggles of production management. A few horror clichés exist, complete with jump scares, and overacting a scene (though it might actually be proper in the role, as the actors are portraying characters whom are making a film). A few plot holes do exist, but in a film with a quicken pace, rising tension and believable moments allows one to overlook those issues.

If you’re tired of the constant low-end and low-budget slasher nonsense, then perhaps you’ll find enjoyment with a film that promises violence and an adventure into the self-aware horror, where the filmmaker makes sure to give that knowing glance to the audience, over 60 flicks in the horror genre alone dating back to the 1960s have accomplished the feat including recently The Final Girls (2015) and Zombieland: Double Tap (2019). Condon accomplish the technique in a wonderful, yet simplistic manner, to cover some of the off screen or behind close door over-the-top gore portions, due to lack of budget.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6704988/

IMDb Rating: 4.3/10

Baron’s Rating: 4.0/10