One Eyed Girl

I swear I didn't dose off at in the first 45 minutes of this film, but it really seemed as though there were big gaping holes in the story. Really got tired of these tedious cult people forcing him to drink some gunk which he invariably upchucks. The story inched along, didn't pick up pace and left me feeling as though I was standing on a dark corner waiting for a ride at 3am. Would not recommend to anyone. Another of many Superchillin offerings that tout better than a 7.2 stars on IMDb, but when I actually come here, find it's a good 2 stars lower rated. 3 reviews are not a wide enough base to feasibly rate a film. The producer, director and main character could have logged on and given it rave reviews, but this was nothing close to the quality or content I would expect from a 7.2 star movie.

After the loss of one of his patients, a psychiatrist, Travis, collapses and loses his way. This movie handles a very difficult and delicate subject, often underestimated. How to help others when you are lost yourself? How to accept your own weaknesses when your role is to lead the way? How to face your patients' breakdown when it is a reflection of your own failure?

The photography feels intimate and authentic, far away from big budget Hollywood movies, which is somewhat refreshing. It is a stirring movie all round, juggling with suspense, confusion, misunderstanding and characters dualities. Get ready for a gripping and exciting ride and prepare yourself for redemption. Comedy lovers, pass your way! There are some tough scenes that stir up dark feelings at times.

If I have one minor grievance, it would be the ending. With all the effort and personal revelations Travis goes through along the story, I had imagined another path for his salvation. Also, the pace was somewhat slow at times, but probably necessary in order to give the movie such an uneasy ambiance.

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers that there isn't much, if anything, to recommend this by-the-books cult drama.

We have a chemically-dependent, terminally depressed young shrink (played convincingly enough by Mark Leonard Winter) whose young patient's suicide drives him over the edge, leading him into a cult-like EST-ish back-to-nature group led by Father Jay (Steve le Marquand).

Father Jay's group is all about getting "clear" (sound familiar?) and uses various punishing physical and mental techniques to supposedly "heal the soul".

So... is there anything you've heard so far that leads you to believe this is unlike any other cult you've heard about before?

Nope, didn't think so. And there isn't. I guess this might be shocking material for those who've never heard of brainwashing or even Charlie Manson, but it's snooze-inducing for those of us who have.

It's a pity because this isn't a poorly made film. The acting is decent. It just revolves around a non-story that's ordinary and non-compelling, to be kind. It's only 103 minutes, but it feels like a century. What a complete waste of everyone's time, including ours.

A quietly powerful and deeply unsettling psychological thriller that explores the fragile human condition through the lens of grief, trauma, and the need for belonging. Directed by Nick Remy Matthews and co-written with Craig Behenna, the film blends emotional depth with a chilling sense of suspense, resulting in a story that lingers in the mind long after it ends.

The story follows Travis, a young psychiatrist battling intense guilt and depression after the death of a patient. Burnt out and emotionally detached from the world, he encounters Grace, a mysterious young woman who introduces him to a secluded cult led by a charismatic and deeply manipulative leader, Father Jay. What follows is a tense and atmospheric descent into a world that promises healing but hides something much darker.

The film's strength lies in its ability to slowly peel back layers of both character and narrative. Rather than relying on jump scares or flashy twists, One Eyed Girl focuses on psychological tension and the slow unraveling of its characters' mental states. It asks hard questions about vulnerability, control, and what people are willing to believe in when they're at their lowest.

The film doesn't provide easy answers or fast-paced thrills. Instead, it offers a complex exploration of human suffering, the search for meaning, and the seductive power of belief systems. There are layers of tension that unfold quietly and methodically, making it feel more like a psychological investigation than a thriller in the conventional sense. While it may not boast the visceral impact of more overtly dramatic films in the genre, One Eyed Girl taps into a very real fear: the fear of losing control over one's own mind and identity.

What sets this film apart is its ability to balance character-driven drama with its philosophical and moral inquiries. The church that Travis stumbles upon isn't just a backdrop for the plot; it's a manifestation of Travis's fragile state of mind. Father Jay's influence over the group is subtle and insidious, and as we see Travis become more and more entangled with the church's practices, it's clear that the line between self-redemption and self-destruction is disturbingly thin.