😱First Impressions:
What actually goes on behind a horror movie set? With so much realistic looking practical effects to simulate gore and violence, acting that's just perhaps too believable at times... It could maybe be real- all it needs is a greenlight~
Pros:
😋 The cinematography felt very professional and the use of colors, neon lights paint that dreamlike state by the protagonist that's in line with the movie (about sleep deprivation) characters ironically were trying to shoot.
😋 The cast boasts particularly strong performances. Protagonist comes off very earnest and understandably freaked at such an insane request. His descent into madness and loss of focus was also very magnetic. Sarah and Nancy were the other standout portrayals~
😋 There was a considerably low bodycount and I think it's really a testament to the genre. Viewers have become desensitized to violence and so the others deaths (apart from the end) that do happen were shown offscreen. The entire movie is based around the buildup and mulling over whether to take a life or not. That was very shocking! Even though things did not go as planned- the characters all have to cover up a different crime at the end.... This is a very worrying documentary about the film industry. So genuine and haunting.
Cons:
😪 Camera works come off dull and the actors deliver lines that just felt like a mouthful or their acting chops just couldn't compensate. This is an indie film about an indie film trying to make it big so it was unavoidable and in fact could be intentional...
😪 Finally, the idea of a movie set being turned into a literal horror film has been done many times. "Scream 3", "Cut" but those are essentially slasher films. This film did something remarkably different but is basically a low budget "Birdman" and the stress, pressures of being involved in the entertainment industry. At least that's how it struck me. Only Birdman had a more profound meaning and message. Whereas Greenlight is just a watered down version but based on typical melodrama of revenge and affairs.
😇 Verdict 😈
A rather starry-eyed and more than passable attempt at a more realistic form of horror. Its minimal bodycount and impressive performances by the cast should say that much. However, being an indie film- there were some moments that just dragged too long and dialogue being forced. But overall, a well-done thriller that lingers beyond the credits being dropped.
