Directed by: Jaron Lockridge Written by: Jaron Lockridge Genre: Drama/Mystery |
They Live In The Shadows
After losing their baby, a couple can't seem to deal with the strain and separate. Things seem to get worse, and divorce papers are written up. Just before they are signed, Benita (Chandell Ryan) gets a worried call and goes to check on her fiance. All is not well, and her fiance Walter (Keith Lamont Johnson) is clearly hiding something. Or is he?
You see reader, there is more to this story. Walter is ill, mentally, and requires medication to keep the "voices" at bay. For Benita, his strange attitude could simply be his condition. But we know it's not, because us viewers get to see what she doesn't. So with Benita off and alone at a cabin with Walter, away from the world, she begins to suspect maybe there's more going on than Walter simply being Walter. This all happens when her car mysteriously won't start up; and she realizes she really is alone right now. As she waits for Walter's brother Chris (Larry Triplett) to arrive the next day, this is where They Live In The Shadows really begins to take off and earn it's stars. The film does take a bit to gain it's momentum, but once achieved Jason Lockridge's title is more than enough to keep it's viewers interested. That slow burn everyone talks about is definitely present here, and worth waiting for. This title 'does' take it's time getting things moving, but does set the tone early on. Through the use of audio mainly, the 'chill' factor slowly ramps up until the climax of the film. There were a few things that felt a little off, but not enough to wreck the film. First, there are a lot of filler shots in the film. Scenery shots and the like that do nothing except keep the pace slow. This could have been deliberate, but I did notice them. I can't help but think they were away to produce a 'feature' length film, but even as a short, I think this movie would have been better without them. This is at first noticed with a driving montage close to the start, that wasn't needed. The acting in the movie was really a highlight. Real and believable, mostly. The mysterious aspect of the movie played out just the way it was meant to. Not everything is as you are led to believe and Lockridge goes to great lengths, to lead you down a certain path. All the way until the ending climax. As for the title of this film and how does it fit in? You'll simply have to watch and find out. I can say this, anyone who is a fan of films such as 'Signs' or even, to some extent, the 'Body Snatchers' titles will get a kick out of this film. Three stars. |
