Threshold

Threshold steps out of the typical psycho/horror genre with a psychological and in some ways spiritual thriller that makes you doubt and question reality. Lots of thrilling twists and turns, super-fun to watch, and great performances all around. Not everyone is going to have the intelligence to understand it as it's not a "slasher" but more a mind-bender. Great popcorn movie with thought and heart.

The movie makes you think it's about a killer child, about the Christian Rapture, about love and betrayal and about a psychopath (and about other things I can't think of right now, but maybe you can). What this movie is really about, you will know only when the movie ends, and even then, you'll have doubts as to whether it was really about what you think it is or not. You might think this means the movie is in fact a mystery. Well, in a way it is, but it's a pretty confusing and frustrating one and the payoff is really not worth going through all that frustration and confusion. You might go from supernatural explanations for what is happening in the movie to a pretty mundane one or vice versa (I won't tell you which one, because I don't want to spoil the movie for you). The acting is good, the cinematography is fine, the music score is a dreamy sort and tries to make you feel some sort of emotion, although you won't know what sort of emotion you're supposed to feel (perhaps just calm?). During the movie, you'll be constantly asking yourself "What is really going on?", so if you can't stand vagueness and confusion or a rather vague and confusing ending, watching this movie will not be a good experience for you. I know it wasn't for me. I have seen vague and confusing movies before, movies such as Stay (2005), but unlike this movie, the payoff was worth tolerating all that confusion and vagueness. You might think my review is confusing. Well, a confusing movie requires a confusing review, but I assure you that my review is much less confusing than the actual movie, so if you found my review even a little vague or confusing and if that bored or frustrated you, please do not watch this movie, as the actual movie will be a pretty frustrating and boring experience for you.

Final score: 3

Perlman's film is everything a sci-fi meets domestic mystery should have. It's eerie, well sequenced, and always leaves the viewer uncertain whether what's happening is scientifically explainable or a paranormal phenomenon imposing itself on a chaotic Earth. The writer-director could've easily made it sappy, or banal, or reductionistic. Instead, he teases in just the right blend of supernatural possibility through atmospheric terror putting a tragedy-stricken couple to test, as strangers and stranger events maraud them. A very under the radar gem.

I watched Threshold twice. The director, crew and cast seem to have an intelligent vision and story in mind with this movie. That became apparent to me in my second viewing. I let go of my judgements arising from the challenges of the budget and decided to value what was accomplished within those limitations. By the end of the film, I wondered what the director's next project might be. I've seen many first feature films by writer directors where by film's end I believed that the artist will be quite successful in the future. Watch and see what you think.

Impressive directorial debut by writer-director Perlman. I enjoyed the well-written female protagonist, in particular the insightful ways in which her character is crafted. Also impressive is the etherial aspect to the both the mystical qualities of the story and the VFX that visualize them. Worth a watch.