Faceless

Grimmfest 2021

What we've got here is your standard unbalanced flick.

Fabulous make up FX (enhanced digitally) and solid performances are swamped by an amnesia/medical conspiracy plot line that bites off more than it can chew within its running time.

Kicking off with a Jacobs Ladder style 'is this real? ' strand that it abruptly drops to focus on the 'who am I? ' and 'what's going on? '.

Unfortunately, we then get a 'who's she? ', 'who's he? ' and 'WHO'S HE???' thrown into the mix and the whole thing goes off kilter.

A noble failure though, over ambition being its main issue.

It gets an extra star from me just because Alex Essoe is in it. What? I don't make the rules.

I must admit that I was intrigued by this 2021 movie's synopsis. And the movie's cover really helped win me over and made me want to sit down to watch it, despite of its relatively low rating on IMDb.

And while "Faceless" is a watchable movie, it wasn't by any means an outstanding or particularly interesting or entertaining movie. It proved enjoyable enough for what it was, but the movie just didn't manage to bring anything new to the thriller genre. So it was a little bit of a disappointment that three writers - Ed Dougherty, Marcel Sarmiento and Freddie Villacci - couldn't muster to make a more memorable storyline here.

What worked for "Faceless" was the special effects and the cast.

The special effects were really good in the movie, and I do like good visual and practical effects, as CGI tends to be a bit too over the top. And there just is something more satisfying in watching proper practical effects pulled off - no pun intended here. So, if for nothing else, then "Faceless" is watchable for the practical effects.

And the cast really pulled off their individual performances nicely and bringing their roles and characters to life on the screen - with or without faces. I am not familiar with Brendan Sexton III (playing George), but he carried the movie quite well with his performance. I do like actress Alex Essoe (playing Sophie), but it was a shame that she didn't have a larger role in the movie, because she would have spruced up the movie quite a bit.

Now, what didn't really work for the movie was the storyline. It was just too bland, generic and didn't really offer enough contents to live up to my expectations of the movie. It was watchable, yeah without a doubt, but it just didn't have that spark to it to make it memorable.

"Faceless" is a thriller that came and went without leaving a lasting impression for me. I sat through it, but I was only mildly entertained. There are far better thrillers out there, and also far more enthralling thrillers that brings you into the storyline and grows on you.

My rating of director Marcel Sarmiento's 2021 thriller "Faceless" lands on a less than mediocre four out of ten stars.

The low rating is one big joke. We're talking one of the best horror/thriller films I've seen in years. Excellent story-telling/writing, poignant atmospheric production design/photography, great acting, incredibly well-done practical special make-up and wonderful direction.

The film was obviously inspired by Adrian Lyne's Jacob's Ladder (1990), one of the best films ever made in film history.

Also what you need to know is that Faceless comes from Marcel Sarmiento, who earlier shot the absolutely phenomenal Deadgirl (2008) and who also served as an executive producer for The Exorcist: Legion VR video game (for me, the scariest VR game ever), just to highlight that this guy has a lot of passion and creativity for the genre. I only hope he continues expanding his horror legacy.

As for Faceless, it's a must-see.

Story where you search your own senses what kind of story this is. as the title says its the kind of state every human being unless among friends and if your a celebrity star or a king where you walk the line among all the faceless ones. its a kind of ''face off'' story, just a more malign and sublime form of the phenomenon.. what would you do waking up with a strangers face, and where this stranger wasnt the coolest guy on the block or mummys golden nugget... well its that kinda story.

the plotting aint good in the start but it finds the line down the slope at increasing speed further on, so behold to push the stop button. the search and rescue mission are twisted and surprising..

acting is like noone stands out, its the average, the filmography is held in a dark and grellgrey tone, some sound glitches, the score of the simple synth's hovering humming without actual songs.. the make up facelifting department has qualities for further assignments, but the storyline is a bit in the fog at times.

so should the grumpy old man recommend this? yes if you like the genre,the actors or simply just have time.

This is a perfect fit for you if you like your thrillers to have a touch of horror and some good twists. Some scenes might make your stomach turn if you're a little squeamish when it comes to medical gore. I found the storyline keeping me on my toes and not seeing some of the turns. I like the uncertainty of George and the uncertainty he has if himself. He doesn't even really know what he's going to do or who he is. The ending was great with my husband and I throwing out our guesses as to what was going to happen. We both changed them about three times each in a matter of minutes. Ha! I definitely recommend this while you're trying to stay warm and 'rona free. Just don't watch it right before bed if you don't want the messed up dreams!