With classic horror movie angles, suspenseful music that pulls you into the terror, and captivating performance by the mesmerizing ensemble cast led by a truly special Jennie Marie Pacelli, Termite the Walls Have Eyes is a love letter to 70s and 80s horror cinema.
Beautiful cinematography and authentic performances make this film a pleasurable experience. The cinematography creates a sense of dread and isolation that aids in the surreal nature of the story. The camera work is nicely varied and stylized. Everyone framed just look their best and give their best performances. Jennie Marie Pacelli, who plays Airy Splendor, gives such an endearing and honest performance that you can't help but get behind her. That is true of all the characters in this film. At only an hour and fifteen minutes, you get to know and feel for everyone, and that's due to the writing and direction from John Walcutt (who turns out a spooky, yet comical, performance himself).
It's hard to write a script and even harder to make a film, it's a miracle they're made, but the efforts in Termite just seem effortless, and that's a sign of true talent. The story relies on its array of colorful characters in a story that's not typically structured by the Hollywood standard, and it's in this space that Termite succeeds where others don't.
The film leaves you wondering what is going to happen, who or what the main threat is, and mixes in a nice share of red herrings to keep you invested and an active participant in the mystery.
This is a genre film with its own identity, sending mad cult classic midnight showing vibes. It's no secret this is an indie film with a modest budget, but it adds to the film's charm and pays homage to films like the Evil Dead and Halloween. With all the absolute garbage released today, it's a breath of fresh air to see something as creative, fun and at times genuinely suspenseful. This is a self aware work of art made by and for people who love movies.
