I'm going to say right off the bat-would I watch this film again? Maybe, but not for a while. That said, I was not expecting it to go where it did. I'm leaving this review because right now, future filmmakers are on platforms like Tubi and Amazon, and there will always be trolls who leave low ratings just to be trolls. But I understand what this film was going for, and I can see how it could be exactly what someone is looking for-especially if they go in with no expectations.
To be honest, I probably would've landed right in the middle on this film if it weren't for the last 15 minutes. That final stretch burned away any preconceived ideas I had, making the rest of the film that much more enjoyable in hindsight. My biggest fear while watching was that it would lead to some kind of shootout between the grandpa and the intruders-but it wasn't. IT WASN'T. And I was relieved.
Quite frankly, I don't see how anyone could give this film lower than a five. Sure, not everything will resonate with everyone, but at an hour and 52 minutes, it feels shorter than its runtime and introduces some of the most unique themes I've ever seen in a film this small in scale. It features sinister dialogue-including a bizarre yet compelling reference to The Andy Griffith Show-a whole therapy technique developed specifically for one character that drives the narrative, family subject matter most films wouldn't dare to touch, horrifying imagery, and dialogue that, while sometimes odd, honestly made me chuckle.
This film is by no means perfect, and again, I don't know when I'd rewatch it, but it's undeniably a singular vision. Films like this don't deserve a one-star rating just because someone's in a bad mood. There's definitely room for improvement, but I applaud the filmmakers for actually trying to create something unique in today's climate. It probably could have been executed a bit better, but if I were the director, I'd make sure to go all in from now on-bringing in people with the same passion and expertise to elevate the craft.
Also, the soundtrack? It kind of rocks. At times, it sounds like something out of old Hollywood rather than the same synthetic cues we hear in most films of this scale.
I didn't love this film, but I also didn't hate it. More than anything, I respect it.
