Marla

The story is intriguing and weird with some intense subject matter and riddled with metaphor. It maintains a steady and hypnotic flow that keeps many elements of the story engaging enough to make you wanna see how things end. There is a suspense and almost hopelessness hanging over the film. At times it amplifies the darkness and at other moments the atmosphere feels too weighted.

The cast giving strong performances for the most part, there are a few times the dialog gets clumsy. A couple of the actors seem a bit disconnected from the story and their character. Still"Marla" has some quality moments where you see the talent shine. Namely the lead actress and her ill-fated boyfriend (spoiler- kind of). Between the acting and the truly unique story idea it will be up to the individual to decide if it all worked for this movie.

The special effects are really cool. Practical choices were made and there is an almost delightful celebration of gore inspired deaths. The film is no where near the notion of realism. It is unapologetically expressionist fantasy and it extends to the horror elements as well. The death sequences were my favorite moments in the movie.

Overall "Marla" will leave just as many fans disappointed and confused. There are some wholes that linger in the story. I got a vibe that was more viral nightmare than implanted mad science. Still Lisa van Dam-Bates creates n evocative and affecting horror story that will speak to a lot of horror fans. I think this is a film worth checking out.

I am a confirmed movie freak, one who equally enjoys watching films from across all genres, from Corman to Wells, Nolan to Scorsese, Tarantino to Troma, Carpenter to Aster, Kurosawa to Miike, Russo Brothers to Spielberg - you get the picture.

Rarely, if ever, have I witnessed a film with a combination of such pathetic writing and insufferably un-charismatic, beyond-wooden acting.

I can't decide which was worse - the writing or the so-called acting. I really, really hate to be so harsh, but the lead actress here gave a performance that was simply the most uninteresting, least engaging and most profoundly awful that I have ever had the displeasure to witness in my life. Honestly. Again, to be fair, this car wreck of a performance extends to everyone in the cast and likely the blame is equally due to the so-called writing.

There simply is not a single redeeming aspect to be found anywhere in this travesty.

I just changed my mind - this film doesn't even deserve a 2. It gets a 1 from me, a rating that in more than 15 years on imdb I may never have actually awarded to any film.

This one is just that terrible. Sorry again to be so very harsh - but I call 'em as I see 'em.

So apparently I had a brain aneurysm and decided to watch this absolute waste of film. The dialog was bad and many lines didn't even make sense in the situation. The performances were bad all around but the lead "actress" (I use the term loosely here) was by far the worst. She would have made a better zombie in an episode of The Walking Dead than she did playing a real person. Many scenes were slow and overly drawn out with very slow lines and long pauses as if the actors were trying to remember their lines. The effects were anything but special. Just a lot of thin red blood with some black spots in it. The plot concept wasn't too bad, but in the end we are left with zero closure or answers.

The whole time I was watching this dumpster fire of a movie, I was wondering how such an abysmal script could get a green light like and who in their right mind would hire such talent-less actors....then the credits rolled. Turns out the lead actress, was also the writer, the director, and the special effects person. I wouldn't doubt that she also had a lot to do with casting as well. It became obvious as the title of this review suggests: So THAT'S how this trash got made.

Bottom line this wasn't worth the film that was wasted recording it, and it certainly isn't worth your time.

People around here are too hard on extreme low budget movies like this. This story was original and I give it praise for that. But the ending didn't make sense and leaves you questioning what the whole film was about.

People complain the lead actress was "mopey" but that made perfect sense considering her situation. Also this actress/director strips nude for the film so I can appreciate that.

This no budget flick is marred by a lead actress whose character is so unlikeable it's impossible to get past. She's mopey, she's mumbly and nobody ever taught her manners. "Thank you" are two words she was never taught. To add insult to injury she's the worst actor in a cast of bad actors. A very disappointing movie all told.