So, I have watched this one about 6 times since it dropped on (insert tag for Dramabox) - I would place this as my first Vertical "Thriller" and I absolutely loved it. One thing I really appreciate about DramaBox is their frequent LGBTQIA+ representation, with this one solidifying its place firmly in my top 10 series' and its only 20 episodes!
"Being first or last in anything means you've stood out, so, means you think I am one of a kind" - What a line, with such perfect delivery by Andrei Prunila
The psychological distress experienced by Adam's character Professor Charlie is portrayed in such a way that you can feel his emotions through the screen, his constant battle between missing his mother and hating the way she treated him. His obsession with his mothers murderer and capturing the elusive serial killer "Falcon" and his descent into madness brought on by the hallucinations of his mothers bloodied body torturing him and blaming him for her death. The parallel of Charlie being a professor of Criminal Psychology while dealing with his own internal mental unease really demonstrates how an obsession can take hold of you; mind, body & soul.
Hunter Stoker comes across as such a sweet innocent college freshman, until he starts displaying his intense obsession and somewhat stalker behaviour towards his professor, forcing himself into his life, his home, and wearing his clothing... he also seems to have a deep understanding of "Falcon" from the get go, Andrei really shines in this project showing a multi-layered complex character, who you never know what his next move will be...
Detective Cary played by Nick Ritacco adds an interesting twist to the storyline as Charlies longtime best friend, but as I will elaborate further below... is he his best friend or is he keeping him close to protect him from what he has done...and keep a watchful eye over him..
The use of episode cuts to evoke a feeling of tension & anxiety in the viewer coupled with the musical score of the series is fantastic, I, for one, felt Charlies confusion, frustration, anger, and guilt at every stage of this series. Especially when we first get a glimpse of his mother's hand on his shoulder, bloodied and missing a finger right before the episode cuts to black... excellent use of the "episode" feature of a vertical series.
What I think I love the most about this series, is, you are pretty sure you know who the "Serial Killer" is, but never 100% certain, because you have Hunter who exhibits "stereotypical" serial killer traits - collecting eyelashes, changes in personality when engaging with different people, hurting himself for attention, and of course the collection of dead insects to display... but then you also have Charlie, who in moments of psychosis becomes a violent and different person as well...
This is a thriller with an unhinged love story thrown in the mix. As I said, I have watched this 6 times and am BEGGING, HANDS & KNEES for Part 2 to be released ASAP. PLEASEEEEEEEE DRAMABOX - The Gays have it for me and we need more 🙏
Vertical Thrillers are a HUGE yes from me!
10/10 (If I could it would be even higher!!!)
