Soul to Squeeze

W. M. Weikart's Soul to Squeeze is a visually striking indie gem that dives deep into the psyche of Jacob, a man grappling with mental anguish through an experimental treatment. The film's bold use of a shifting aspect ratio (4:3 to 2.35:1) mirrors Jacob's unraveling mind, blending Lynchian surrealism with emotional depth. Vibrant colors, meticulous framing, and a haunting score elevate its low-budget origins. While the narrative's eccentricity can feel disorienting at first, it builds to a poignant, satisfying climax. A unique, thought-provoking journey that lingers. 8/10.

A Soul to Squeeze is a wonderful film that journeys through the mind of the protagonist Jacob. There are twists and turns at every stop with the viewer never being able to catch their breath from one scene to the next. It elicits sensory overload at its finest. This indie marvel breaks ground by seamlessly shifting aspect ratio from a restrictive 4:3 to an expansive 2.35:1 over its 86-minute runtime. This mirror's Jacob's evolving psychological state-from claustrophobic to boundless. Weikart's use of multi-pane visuals, layered screens, and symbolic set pieces (a burping mermaid, TV monitors speaking, hair-filled bathtub) evokes a fever dream where the mundane becomes monstrous and every visual cue resonates with Jacob's fractured reality.

This is the one for you in a stagnant and mediocre landscaper of mainstream movies presently.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. While it took a few minutes to settle into its rhythm-initially leaving me a bit disoriented-the creative risks ultimately paid off. The narrative's eccentricity and bold visual choices were jarring at first, but as the story unfolded, the seemingly scattered details came into focus, culminating in a deeply satisfying "aha" moment.

What resonated most was the emotional core of the story. The protagonist's journey felt personal and relatable, and I found myself genuinely moved by the film's conclusion-leaving with a tear in my eye. Despite the surreal tone, the emotional weight was grounded and sincere.

There are still lingering questions about how exactly the character arrived at his final state and what the aftermath might entail, but that ambiguity feels intentional rather than frustrating. The film stays with you in the best way.

One of the standout elements was the director's commitment to metaphor and layered visual storytelling. It's rare to see a filmmaker lean so unapologetically into artistic symbolism in an era where many shy away from it. The result is a film that rewards attentive viewing and invites discussion.

Weird, heartfelt, and strikingly original-this is a film that lingers long after the credits roll. I'm genuinely looking forward to what this director does next.

I really liked this film and would recommend it. It takes inspiration from sources like Lynch, the Rusty Lake games, Jacob's Ladder, and weaves together its own personalised vision and meaningful experience through a fractured human mind in pain. Weikart's directional-style parallels modern creatives like Ari Aster and Coralie Fargeat that I'm increasingly falling in love with. Bold contrasting colours, clean lines, visually symmetrical - a feast for the eyes. I'm truly impressed with how the film makes the absolute most out of a smaller budget and packs a wallop of quality storytelling and filmmaking. What struck me most is Weikart's understanding and thoughtful insights into how human's process their pain and why it's so important for us to do so.