Redemption

A solid short suspense/thriller shot on a shoestring budget, but with surprisingly good production values. Rhonda LaRue steals the show as the title character -- this bad-ass beauty is one to watch! Writer/director Joe Monks is blind, yet he has an amazing sense of photo composition and framing. This gritty New York serial killer story looks a bit like William Lustig's "Maniac," with shades of Frank Henenlotter's "Basket Case." "Redemption" doesn't have the buckets-o-blood of those two films, but it certainly packs a ton of visceral thrills into its 30-minute running time. Kudos to Monks and crew for creating a genuinely creepy cinematic vehicle, and to LaRue for taking "Redemption" to the next level with her full-throttle performance.

Crafty storytelling and a surprising interplay of characters yields a compelling "whodunit" thriller in Joseph Monk's Redemption. The titular character reminds this viewer of that one quiet girl from school that you knew not to mess with at recess. What I was particularly pleased with is the fact that the film was able to make me squirm in my seat for the right reason: the director's intent seemed not purely dedicated to shock value violence, yet it still managed to tickle my appreciation for the macabre.

The suspense is carefully wrought in this 30 minute piece, to where the viewer is lulled to assume the expected, then has to slowly stand back in awe as the deceptive characters unravel the true plot. Eerie atmosphere, high tension, and realistic characters make a true delight for those who enjoy the mystery/horror genre. I am anxious to see what Mr. Monk and company has in store for us in the future. A+ work here guys.

Redemption is very well written and put together. Director Joe Monks has a knack for conveying the disturbing mood and feeling of dread from the very beginning. You will instantly be pulled in because it is something plausible that can happen anywhere to anyone and relates to everyday life. It's rare to find a thriller/horror film without loads of blood and violence, and despite the creepy nature of the film, it's very tasteful. It's the perfect film for a rainy night or with a group of friends and a bag of popcorn to be discussed afterward. This film will leave you questioning "normalacy" and reminds you to never judge a book by the cover.