Two Pigeons

A psychological art house revenge karmic comedy mystery gross out metaphorical film?? Interesting and clever with good performances all round. A little repetitive possibly, could have lost a few minutes of creeping around to improve pacing, though a minor quibble. Absurdist situation that the director somehow allows the viewer to buy into. Will not be to everyones taste and may cause a gag reflex in some people at times but highly recommended for something a bit different.

Estate agent Hussein (Mim Shaikh) shares a small London apartment with his girlfriend Mel (Mandeep Dhillon), but, unbeknownst to the young couple, the flat is also home to a strange Spaniard called Orlan (Javier Botet), who conceals himself about the place, emerging whenever the coast is clear to carry out a series of unsavoury acts designed to ruin Hussein's life.

A stranger hiding unnoticed in a home isn't exactly a new idea (for similarly themed films, see Hider In The House, and to some extent, A Crack In The Floor, both of which star Gary Busey). Despite this, the film still manages to hold quite a few surprises, delivering plenty of twisted humour and a keen sense of the absurd. Director Dominic Bridges' slowburn approach is effective, Orlan's activities starting out as relatively innocuous, but, as the film progresses, taken to more and more extreme levels. Shaikh and Dhillon do well as the the clueless victims, but is Botet who is the film's strongest suit, his extremely slight frame and long gangly limbs making him a memorably disturbing character.

Unfortunately, as good as the build up is, the finalé proves frustratingly tame: rather than opt for the truly disturbing ending the film deserves, Bridges delivers a finish that is both rushed and ultimately unsatisfying, Orlan's final punishment for Hussein not nearly as nasty as one might expect.

***EDIT*** Having just finished watching Spanish thriller Sleep Tight (2011), I now realise that Freehold's basic premise is even more derivative than I thought. I'm tempted to deduct a point for lack of originality, but will leave my rating at a 7 for the time being.***

That was the title the movie had when I watched it at Frightfest. Not sure why they changed the title, but I think both work fine. This movie reminded me a bit of Bin-Jip (3-iron) by Kim Ki Duk. But while the Korean movie was more philosophical I guess, this is more "real" and down and dirty, not to mention has a different backstory and motive for the involving characters.

This has a couple of flaws and arguably a lead character who does not seem to sympathetic for most. But therein lies the challenge. How do you keep the viewers interested or a suspense, with characters you may not sympathize or agree with? There are also quite a few despicable things that are happening. Really awful stuff, disgusting to a degree some may feel sick watching. And no one would blame anyone feeling appalled. Still has something to tell ... actually so much to tell, that even a monologue was written at the end, that I'm not sure was necessary ...

Young estate agent Hussein (Mim Shaikh) has a super-thin flatmate (Javier Botet) he doesn't know about who hides away under the bed and in cupboards, only coming out when Hussein is asleep or at work in this creepy British horror-thriller from writer-director Dominic Bridges. With the action confined to one set, it's an effectively creepy and claustrophobic experience which is sure to disgust many viewers thanks to the unsavoury antics of the stick-thin Botet, but it's strangely compelling. Also makes great use of non-diegetic sound effects to ramp up the sense of growing fear and paranoia.

This is a a creepy yet captivating movie. It is definititely not a comedy.