Bystanders

While I had indeed never heard about this 2024 horror movie titled "Bystanders", of course I needed no persuasion to watch it, given my love of all things horror. Sure, I didn't know what I was in for, and thus had no expectations to the movie, so I suppose that writer Jamie Alvey and director Mary Beth McAndrews had every opportunity to entertain and impress me.

However, writer Jamie Alvey put together a very, very bland and generic script and storyline for director Mary Beth McAndrews to bring to the screen. There was very little enjoyment and entertainment to be found here, especially if you've spent years watching horror movies, then you're in for nothing grand here. "Bystanders" is the type of movie that you put on and let it run in the background, paying half attention to it, whilst doing something else.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie. But despite of having a generic script to work with, the acting performances were fair enough.

Visually, then you're not in for anything spectacular. A shame really, because the movie would have benefitted from having great special effects to spruce up the otherwise mundane narrative.

"Bystanders" is not a movie that I would recommend horror fans to rush out and get to watch. It is suitable for a single viewing, then you'll bag, tag and forget all about it, never to return to it a second time.

My rating of "Bystanders" lands on a three out of ten stars.

Okay, so it's a good premise with a bad production value. But what makes the movie is Garrett Murphy's Gray. That dude killed his role. And I'm not just making a stupid dad pun here.

The acting is okay. The practical effects are passable, even though it's just blood. But what made the whole thing for me was watching Gray nonchallantly maul through all the stupid frat boys one by one as if he were taking drink preferences at his dinner party.

I'm definitely gonna check Garrett Murphy out in more roles, and here's hoping his roles are a lot like Gray. Cuz I think I could watch The Tales of Gray for at least four seasons.

Feminine rage and vindication from the minds of women will always be superior. Every moment of Bystanders has that. It doesn't miss a beat. Emotions? High. Revenge? So sweet. And the breaks in between are filled with a good amount of humor that stems from a nifty twist on behalf of our protagonists.

The feeling that I got growing up when discovering horror movies is the same feeling that I got while watching this. I still hold those horror movies close, and I'm going to hold Bystanders close.

So much appreciation goes out to director, Mary Beth McAndrews, for envisioning an organically dark and justified film from Jaime Alvey's (who also stars as Clare) story that holds so much truth as well as power.

Heck yeah, ladies!

The basic idea of this horror crime is good. But the execution is far from good. There's not enough music to help build the horror. A simple audio can go a long way. Besides, there's a problem with how some scenes were being dragged out for too long. My guess is without those unnecessary long scenes, this movie would've been less than an hour. I don't think that the acting is the main problem. The directing was the one ruining the movie. It's true that some of the actors couldn't act very well, but most of them are due to bad directions. I don't recommend this one, even if you're a fan of revenge themed movies.

Expecting a rather generic plot, I got surprised. Four frat boys have invited three young women to a party at their cabin in the woods. When they arrive, they expected more women, but was told they were delayed. So their drinks get drugged and they get assaulted. Waking up, they are told there is going to be a hunt, and they have a 60 second head start. Two are quickly killed (off camera). Abby manages to run further, and comes across a couple, Gray and Clare, who are coming back from a wedding. She pleads for help, and they offer to help her. While all three of them are by the car, the frat boys catch up, and decide they will have fun with all of them. Getting distracted, Clare and Abby manage to escape into the woods. Clare tells Abby that if she sticks with her, she will be protected. And Gray is tougher than he looks. And this is where the movie really becomes fun. There is a certain levity and chemistry between Clare and Gray, as they certainly have fun in what they do. Yes, it is low budget, the blood is not that convincing, but their methods certainly are 'delicious'. It simply was a nice change from what I expected.