Dig Me No Grave

Basically my issues with the film center on two points: A) The story adheres to realism where it suits it and leaves realism begging at the door when it needs the hero to live another day. And B) warren Hicks (Scott Parker) is in over his head with this character and this movie. Part of the problem is how the character is written. There's very little real about him. And that has to be laid at the feet of the writers.

James Bryhan (Pat Gunther) deserves the awards he's getting for his performance. His character doesn't talk as much as the protagonist (Parker), whose temperament is as cold as the ice around him when he taunts him about his sexuality. I felt more empathy towards (Gunther) plight and grieve stricken response to what befalls him , rooting for him to win the day , more so than (Parker) who despite losing his legs, acted as if he'd been subjected to watching paint dry.

The story overall was good and worth a watch.

I wish I could have seen this one in cinemas, since I feel like only such a large screen would do this movie justice. Amazing performances all around, especially by James Bryhan who performs almost silently throughout the movie, conveying his emotions through his actions and expressions . There were stunning camerawork both immersive and creative.

I wasn't going to expect much with the CGI being a low budget movie but was pleasantly pleased to see that the bear was passable and I have to give props to the team for doing what they could.

The accents of some of the actors is almost utterly unforgivable, with one of them trying to impersonate Forest Gump and the wife (Linda) with broken English , But I'm willing to forgive that for all the things listed above.

Warren Lee Hicks stars as Scott Parker, a hunter in who spends his day shooting animals amongst the forest.

The filmmaker does well to set up the rural location, becoming a key part of the narrative.

Our protagonist returns again to the woods but is surprised when he is confronted by a bear. There's a decent bit of CGI for this attack, and although it's no The Revenant, it's done very well considering the limitations and as good as anything on TV.

The outcome of the fight leaves the bear dead and the man finds himself in a cabin in the woods.

Scared and out of his mind, it is revealed he has been captured by Pat Gunther (a very psychotic turn from James Bryhan) .

Dig Me No Grave does very well at positioning all its characters and despite some clunky dialogue, is extremely polished as it clearly sets up the story and everyone's motivations and goals.

James Bryhan as the cold and calculated antagonist is a particular highlight. His ghoulish kidnapper echoes the extreme actions of Annie Wilkes from 1990's Misery, who similarly torments an incapacitated man. However, he's given more of a history that makes even this repugnant character have a few reasons for what he's done.

But he, along with a solid cast, combine with the film's impressive technical aspects, a slick 90-minute runtime and a host of well-planned dramatic and action sequences, to make Dig Me No Grave a barnstorming and nail-biting local thriller exploring distrust and atonement.

Ranjeet S. Marwa takes bold creative swings in his direction. Rather than lean into standard action-thriller tropes, he crafts a dark, philosophical tone. The cinematography is stark and claustrophobic, especially in the cabin sequences. The pacing is deliberate-almost meditative at times-which may not appeal to fans of high-octane thrillers but rewards patient viewers with psychological depth.

Warren Lee Hicks plays the lead, Scott Parker. His early performance feels somewhat flat, but as the stakes rise, Hicks evolves with the narrative, capturing the desperation and confusion of a man broken by betrayal and guilt.

Mark Strange as Fred Proctor provides physicality and urgency. While not deeply explored, his character helps maintain the thriller's momentum and grounds the film in action when needed.

James Bryhan as Pat Gunther is a standout. He brings a chilling, layered intensity to the antagonist role, making Gunther more than just a villain-he's unpredictable, methodical, and, at times, strangely sympathetic.

Dig Me No Grave is an indie psychological thriller that punches above its budget with style and mood. It won't be for everyone-especially viewers expecting a non-stop action ride-but it offers a slow-burning, cerebral experience led by a magnetic antagonist and sharp directorial choices.

Recommended for fans of Misery, Buried, or Prisoners who enjoy a darker, more psychological take on the survival thriller formula.

I just watched Dig Me No Grave, and I have to say, James Bryhan's performance was absolutely incredible. He was so dynamic throughout the film, and every scene he was in felt completely alive. What really stood out to me was his timing-it was spot on. Whether it was delivering a line that made the tension skyrocket or just reacting to the eerie atmosphere around him, he nailed it every single time.

The way he portrayed his character's fear and determination was so believable, it pulled me right into the story. You could feel every bit of dread and uncertainty as if you were living it alongside him. He brought such a powerful presence to the screen without ever overdoing it, and that balance made the whole experience even more chilling.

Honestly, James Bryhan made the film for me. Dig Me No Grave is unsettling on its own, but his performance took it to a whole other level. If you get the chance to watch it, I can't recommend it enough-he's absolutely brilliant.