Pesadilla

When you see high ratings for an indie with a sub-100 view count, you can be forgiven when your bs detector starts to hum a little.

I think they're warranted in this case. I'm not offended by friends & family showering this with 5s or whatever.

Because it's really something else.

It's loaded with loopy characters & fun performances. Has a scene with a hot tattooed girl in her underwear. No nudity though. It has an absurd ending that made me kinda happy. Whoever made this didn't just throw a bunch of nonsense at the wall & hoped that some of it would stick. He's got a real sense of humor & timing, i think.

My only major criticism is that it's a touch too long. If it was 90m, i'd be truly piping hot on it instead of highly keen.

Good one, nevertheless. Worth a watch if you're looking for something small & silly & a little baffling.

Pesadilla" is a haunting and atmospheric psychological thriller that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche and mental health struggles. Directed by Dylan Anglin, this film grips viewers from the opening scene and refuses to let go until the credits roll. Anglin's direction is masterful, creating a palpable sense of tension and unease that permeates every frame. The cinematography is striking, with stark contrasts and clever use of light and shadow adding to the film's eerie atmosphere. The standout performance comes from veteran actor Mike Davis, whose portrayal of Gramps is both masterful and disturbing. Overall Pesadilla is a compelling story with chilling visuals including standout practical effects by Hunter Groves. Anglin proves himself to be a talent to watch in the world of indie horror, and Pesadilla is a promising film that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats, and with an uneasy feeling on the drive home.

My favorite work from Anglin, and it features my favorite characters he has written. The acting, the sound design, the cinematography, the score, the editing, and most of all the writing all shine in this production, and I enjoyed every second of it. The film builds towards an exciting climax that feels not only satisfying but as dark and messed up as the story suggests. That being said, the film blends horror with comedy so well, and I truly think this is the best writing I have seen from Anglin. His characters feel so fleshed out, and Gramps specifically feels like such a fully realized character. His monologue on the porch had me leaning back in horror and leaning in to hear more.

Additionally, I mentioned the editing earlier, and I just want to say again that I was never bored. The story is paced so well, and both sets of characters (the grieving family and the moonlight marauders) were so interesting that the story did not feel stilted when the story switched back and forth from one group to the other. Also, the editing at the climax of the film is excellent. And yeah, I mentioned it earlier too, but man did I enjoy the musical score. It felt both fitting and it carried suspense from scene to scene. Music should always complement a scene, and Álvaro Rodríguez Cabezas does just that.

In short, "Pesadilla" signals a bright future for Anglin, and it simultaneously inspires other filmmakers in Kentucky like me. Solid 8/10 for me, and I 10/10 recommend it. Shout out Mike Davis and Alexis Ward!

After watching a bunch of Anglin's short films I was very excited to check out his feature film and I wasn't disappointed.

You will not be able to figure out where this film is heading no matter how hard you try. It takes a lot of unexpected twists and turns without compromising the narrative. Some great acting performances and had multiple jaw-dropping moments that left me stunned.

For anyone who loves independent film and seeing a unique vision brought to screen by someone who truly cares, this is for you.

In today's world, you don't see many films that take these kinds of risks and explore such unique ideas & themes. Truly a one-of-a-kind film that I think everybody should watch!

Tbh, most micro budget films are something along the lines of crime or chasing someone around with a knife. I couldn't help but get the same feeling as something like Primer, or Following. I mean this film makes a convincing (yet terrifying) point in regards to the Andy Griffith show which is something you don't see often on this scale, the "outrageous metaphors". Shocking moments, tough subject matter, a final 5 minutes that are admittedly more iconic than the actual film and iconic in itself. The grandpa character was extremely well written, and the performance was superb. I liked this film, it was different.