The Woman Under the Stage

Was fortunate to get to catch this on the big screen, and was absorbed from the opening scenes. The writing, acting, lighting and technical aspects are all top-notch.

Most interesting was the film's use of classical "method acting" as a prompt for horror, mirroring some of the more alarming stories about actors going too far (or being asked to go too far) in their preparations for a role, and stretching that concept to its most frightening extreme. Jessica Willis shines in the lead role as she struggles to hold onto her center as things around her grow progressively more unsettling, and Matthew Tompkins is fantastic as the "art bro" director who has a talent for getting people to do what he wants.

Not a horror fan myself, but this had plenty for fans of the genre, while still packing enough depth in the character and theme work to draw in those outside the horror fan club. Highly recommended!

The Woman Under the Stage is a psychological drama that pulls you further in as the story unfolds. I genuinely got more interested as it progressed.

What didn't work for me were the horror sequences. There is a proper setup into these nightmares with a cup, but something about the escalation and the environment lost me. These sequences look fantastic and they do ramp up in intensity with some great visuals. But, I found a hook missing or something to land that connection.

What does work is the drama. There are truly incredible performances, especially by the leads Jessica Willis and Matthew Tompkins. And a tender scene between Willis and Ashley Spicer clutches on miscommunication that lands the kind of dramatic comedy I eat up.

Next to the performances and overall horror in show business theme, its greatest strength is the cinematography. This movie looks unbelievable for it's small budget. This is about a play and it's lit and shot with all the drama you could envision.

This is one of the best films to come out of the North Texas film scene in recent years.

The Woman Under the Stage is a psychological thriller that deftly builds on the inner turmoil of the characters, taking a dark journey down the theatrical labyrinth. It hinges on the lead character's descent into a mysterious scenario, and Jessica Willis gives a bravura performance. She carries the movie in a strong, yet vulnerable way that takes the audience along with her every bit of the way.

The interaction with the other lead, portrayed by Matthew Tompkins, makes the picture a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with palpable tension. The screen shines every time these two have a scene together.

The director Ezekiel Decker commands a masterful use of close-ups that heightens the emotions of the characters. Jessica Willis captures every nuance of what her character thinks and feels. The audience need only look at her silent expressions to understand what her character is experiencing.

The plot is somewhat reminiscent of Inland Empire in a good way. The protagonist struggles to make sense of unknown goings-on as an actor in a possibly cursed production. Jessica Willis matches Laura Dern for intensity and subtlety in a breakthrough role.

Ezekiel Decker's original music is another highlight, seamlessly fitting to evoke the atmosphere. This is a powerful debut that is elevated beyond typical horror into the psyche of damaged characters.

The atmosphere in this movie is built with such a confidence that a lot of the scenes shake you up just by letting you in.

A very interesting story told valiantly, but not without faults. The horror moments are a little underwhelming, but still manage to strike the right chord.

The cinematography is hit or miss throughout, but some of the moments on stage shine!

The drama in the story takes it's time, and had they been lesser actors involved, it might've dragged, but with this team, you're locked into their emotional voyage of finding out what they truly want!

I would like to see more from Absentia Pictures!

More psychological than thriller, The Woman Under the Stage is a rarity in low budget horror in the sense that it delivers on a great script and, even more rare in the genre, incredible actors to tell a story that isn't entirely unique but not derivative either. The main trio consisting of Jessica Dawn Willis, Matthew Thomkins, and Phil Harrison are amazing to watch, with strong supporting characters and actors throughout. Rather uncommon for something this, there are no weak links here. The story twists and turns throughout and while it isn't necessarily difficult to follow what's going on it will leave you wondering what is reality from start to finish. The scares are effective, but they are overshadowed by the drama which is the real selling point of the movie. It presents a core that is, again, uncommon in low budget horror and therefore elevates it above the rest. A strong meditation on the themes of artistic sacrifice that have probably been delivered better elsewhere but not in this way and not on this budget. Worth looking at on Amazon Prime.