Pester

A horror film, a city study, and a deeply realized family portrait all at once, PESTER is unique. Set in a darkling LA nowhere PESTER is shot in locations so forlorn they are instant, heart-breaking classics of the genre. Eric Gerber's tactile cinematography is excellent, always beautiful even when picturing what we would normally consider repulsive. The performances, particularly the sensitive portrayals of the Pester brothers by Nick Sommer and Matthew Dunlop -- not to speak of their monstrous father, Thaine Allison -- are deep. There are scenes in PESTER that will make you squirm, and others that will chill you to the bone. But, unlike many exercises in horror, PESTER is not just about cheap thrills. There is a hard-won moral vision at its core. This film takes us on a trip through the byways of hell, as we struggle with the Pesters to reach the other side.

Pester is one of those films you don't easily forget. Just about every shot is well crafted and visually memorable. I especially appreciate the cinematography--Eric Gerber has an eye for colors and grit. Everything here works well, though. The acting is effectively understated. The dialogue is sparse, but it propels the characters and their conflicts toward an unexpected and unforgettable conclusion. The subject matter is dark and unusual too, but, underneath, the film has quite a bit of heart in the way it handles family relationships.

A beautiful film. Deeply moving and unexpected. The artful cinematography captures impressive and honest performances from Nick Sommer and Matthew Dunlop and the story explores profound and challenging themes. Thought provoking and complex, this heartfelt film portrays the Pester's, a family of exterminators, and themes of addiction, decay, and death with surprising empathy, clarity, and humor. "Pester" renders a rich emotional landscape that sweeps from the smallest creatures scurrying in the dirt to the expansive desert sky. Though this is a premise that could easily lend itself to a dark and unsettling character study the layered performances, impeccable timing, and studied observations give this story a sense of discovery. "Pester" constructs a world both unfamiliar and resonant, haunting and staggeringly beautiful. This is a work that stick with you and demands to be watched multiple times. Highly recommended.

"Pester", written & directed by Eric Gerber, is a film that really snuck up on me. When I first heard about it at the Milwaukee Film Festival I went home and found the trailer and became instantly drawn into the unique visual style and a really somber, mellow performance from lead Nick Sommer (Blood Junkie, Billy Club & Don't Go to the Reunion) which I had not seen from this often comedy actor.

It's hard to be subjective toward the film as I know a few of the members involved, but I had never met Eric Gerber before seeing the film. What I found so endearing about his work as the director and cinematographer was how he was able to get naturalistic, real performances from everyone involved and how he shot this seemingly low budget film in such a way that feels like it had a lot more support behind it.

Tonally I'd compare the film to Dan Gilroy's "Nightcrawler" in the way it shows you the dark sides behind every human being and the less colorful areas of Los Angeles.

Without giving too much away, "Pester" tells the story of Paul Pester (Nick Sommer) and his drug addicted brother Ethan (Mathew Dunlap) and how Paul uses the family pest removal business as a way to not only help his brother stay clean, but help bring them closer together. Sometimes funny, often thought provoking, "Pester" is a film that should be getting far more attention that it has been.

If given the chance, seek out this film.

Pester is a very well-done independent feature with thought provoking characters and situations.

The director, Eric Gerber, does a good job of presenting characters to the audience and then having the audience slowly question their first impressions of the characters.

I found the main characters to be effective and many of the supporting characters to be very interesting and well-acted. The relationship of the brothers was a pleasure to watch as the movie progressed and we learn more about each of them.

The music was simple and effective, and the lighting and editing were top-notch.