Invasive

One of the things I love about Tubi being free is that I love bad movies. I go online to search for stuff I think is going to be bad and see if it is as bad as it looks or sounds. And sometimes I find a gem. Other times... I find something as unpleasant as "Invasive." It is not the type of bad that I am looking for.

I am surprised a lot of other reviewers on this site enjoyed the film, because I couldn't stand this movie. Through a combination of bad dialogue and poor acting choices, the characters in this film are unbearable. Special mention goes to our villain Pierce, played by Francis Chouler. Pierce is a tech bro, and he is written in a way that he is supposed to be hated. However, with his pretentious and nonsencial dialogue and Chouler's strange acting, Pierce comes across as a carciature of what the writer thinks a "detached" mad scientist is meant to be. Obviously, when Pierce says something that is supposed to be "profound," it is supposed to be arrogant and pretentious.

Unfortunately, for a film like this to succeed, your villain needs a certain charisma to them. Since this is a character you will be seeing throughout the film, he at the very least needs to be entertaining, even if he is irredeemable. And Pierce is not that. He is obnoxious. He is the kind of villain you want dead at the halfway point at the latest. Pierce bogs down the entire film, it is difficult for me to appreciate the good parts of this film that other reviewers seem to like.

A Tubi Original that has nothing original in it cause it's not realistic, it's not frightening, it's not scary, has just mild mumbo elements of horror and drama in it. The parting of the boy and girl wasn't logical, could have benefited from more people in that house, at least two big dogs in it and flesh torn apart.

Instead of those, we have unrealistic cat and mouse chases and the wrong persons died. The tech was nice though.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 4.5
• Production value/impact: 4.5
• Development: 6
• Realism: 4
• Entertainment: 4
• Acting: 5.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 7.5
• VFX: 7
• Music/score/sound: 5
• Depth: 4.5
• Logic: 3
• Flow: 5.5
• Psychological/thriller/horror/drama: 4.5
• Ending: 4.

Excellent. Captivating. The lead actress is extraordinarily talented. She was similarly great in the Blood and Water series also filmed in South Africa.

The movie does contain disturbing images but it didn't give me nightmares.

Very topical subject and lots of high tech gadgetry.

Please check out the Netflix series Blood and Water. Khosi Ngema is definitely one of my favorite actresses. Very beautiful. Toughtful and expressive.

This was filmed in Capetown South Africa. 🇿🇦 Professionally done. Well acted. Good story.

I would watch anything this actress is a part of...she's THAT good.

10 stars.

Staying late after a party, a woman looking to squat in a billionaire's elite mansion home inadvertently discovers the shocking secret to his fortune when the revelation that his life-saving medicinal cures are tested on other random strays like her and must try to get out of the situation alive.

This was a generally disappointing thriller without much going for it. The main aspect that this one has for it is the idea that there's a shocking secret unearthed within the lab and the survival instincts to get out alive before everything falls south. This is handled incredibly well with the initial reasoning for her being there and staying at the property only to find everything upended when the owner returns ahead of schedule and sets out carrying on the day-to-day life he normally leads unaware of her presence until trying to get away alerts them that something's going on. This starts a thrilling and generally intriguing series of chases around the house where the gruesome nature of the experiments being performed and how it all takes place inside the cramped confines of the one location makes everything feel all the more tense with some surprising revelations at play helping to enhance the experience. It's what pretty much makes this one enjoyable overall. There are some issues here holding this one down. The main detriment of the film revolves around the lack of macabre shenanigans for much of the running time. With so much of the first half revolving around the two sitting around the house enjoying their time alone in a lavish technologically-impactful mansion that allows for a lighthearted feeling until it gets to a point where they have a more distracted idea the more they stay there. Very little of this tends to be dark or thrilling which makes for a sluggish time to get going as there's barely anything going on that makes for a generally tense time until halfway through so it all comes together rather lackluster. That also highlights the series of twists present highlighting the overlong finale where it keeps introducing plenty of additional elements to keep everything going for little payoff which is what holds this one back.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence, and Brief Nudity.

"Invasive" emerges as a poignant cinematic exploration, deftly weaving themes of class disparity and moral ambiguity into a suspenseful narrative. Set within the opulent confines of a wealthy pathologist's mansion, the film takes a refreshingly audacious approach to the traditional thriller while tackling weighty social issues. With an evocative plot, a commendable production team, and an atmospheric score, it captivates the audience not merely through its narrative devices but through its incisive commentary on the complex moral landscape of contemporary society.

At the heart of "Invasive" is the story of 18-year-old Kay, who, in an audacious leap towards autonomy, decides to squat in a luxury mansion owned by an affluent medical scientist. The central character's motivations are multifaceted; although she possesses a familial anchor back home in her estranged father, her need for escape propels her into this world of entitlement and affluence. This intriguing dynamic sets the stage for a riveting exploration of desperation and privilege, cleverly staged against the backdrop of an unyielding cat-and-mouse chase that ensues when the billionaire scientist unexpectedly returns prematurely.

The screenplay, crafted with astute precision by writer-director Jem Garrard, employs rich thematic contrasts to delve deeper into social hierarchies. The duality of good and evil is manifested through the behaviors of the characters: the wealth-driven malevolence of the mansion's husband juxtaposed against the desperate yet relatable instinct for survival exhibited by the protagonist. The writing shines in its thoughtful examination of power dynamics; the film oscillates between sympathy for the gritty reality of those on the fringes of society and abhorred fascination with the moral decay that often plagues the unfettered affluent. It is this sophisticated narrative design that allows its audience to engage with the film on multiple layers.

While the cast comprises relatively novice actors, their performances are commendable, conveying authenticity amidst their respective roles. The chemistry between the lead characters is palpable, grounding the film in a realism that starkly contrasts with the surreal opulence of their surroundings. The male antagonist, though presenting as the weaker performer, embodies an eccentric billionaire in a manner that skirts the edge of caricature, enhancing the film's psychological tension through his bizarre demeanor. The casting choices epitomize the director's keen understanding of his actors' strengths, as he navigates the murky waters of genre filmmaking and finds a fitting place for their eclectic talents. It is a representation of a director who understands where artistry emerges from discomfort, creating a compelling mischief that lingers beyond the screen.

Visually, the cinematography excels in crafting a visual narrative that complements the film's thematic concerns. Close-up shots imbue moments of tension with a harrowing intimacy, inviting the audience into the claustrophobic world of the characters. Such techniques ingeniously tether us to the protagonist's plight, evoking an unsettling sensation of being complicit in her transgressions. The artful framing is coupled with a deliberate pacing that accentuates the inherent fears of violation and surveillance-an apt reflection of the protagonist's experience as she navigates a space that is both luxurious and hostile. The visual language is persuasive, enunciating the film's overall sense of dread and entrapment.

A noteworthy aspect of "Invasive" is its aural landscape; the soundtrack brilliantly interlaces pulsating techno beats with eclectic soundscapes that heighten the tension of chase sequences while embodying the extravagant essence of the mansion. The juxtaposition of thrilling rhythms against the hollow echoes of desolation underscores the core themes of human experience and societal division. Such clever auditory manipulation serves to evoke not only the external chaos of the narrative but also the internal turmoil of its characters, creating a haunting resonance that sticks with the viewer long after the credits roll.

Finally, the production quality of "Invasive" deserves commendation. The singular setting evinces meticulous design, cleverly repurposed to reflect the multifaceted nature of the plot. By utilizing the mansion as a character in itself, the film merges its aesthetic splendor with underlying dread, reinforcing its message of how appearances can mask dark realities. The coherence and cohesion brought forth by the production team transform what could have been a standard thriller into a resonant exploration of class conflict and personal strife.

Overall, "Invasive" captivates with its blend of rich thematic exploration, solid performances, and immersive technical execution. Earning a commendable 79% (4/5), it stands out not just as a genre piece but as an incisive commentary on the intricacies of human behavior within the constructs of wealth and morality. The film leaves a resonant mark, challenging viewers to reckon with the uncomfortable truths of social stratification while offering an exhilarating cinematic experience that beckons repeat viewings. In its sumptuous yet sinister aesthetic, "Invasive" is a reminder that sometimes, the most opulent facades conceal the darkest secrets.