Leslie Melville on ROCK PAPER AND SCISSORS which hits VOD July 6

After the death of their father, Maria Jóse (Valeria Giorcelli) and her brother Jose (Pablo Sigal) receive an unexpected visit from Jose’s half sister Magdalena (Agustina Cerviño). Soon after her arrival Maria and Jose discover that She has plans to assist them by taking care of their fathers assets and property. Maria decides to take things into her own hands causing a chain of unfortunate events.

Rock, Paper, and Scissors is a very ambitious project from Argentina created by filmmakers Martín Blousson and Macarena García Lenzi. One of the films greatest assets is its actors. When the audience is first introduced to Maria and Jose they appear to be harmless. It isn’t until Magdalena’s arrival that we see a change in their behavior. There were a few scenes in this film that caught me off guard. When you are watching an film from Argentina the last thing you expect to see is Dorothy from The Wizard Of Oz. Normally this type of reveal would never work in a film like this but because of the characters bizarre behavior it actually fits the story quite well.

It’s rare that you find a film that has a total of three characters without secondary characters to “beef up” the story line. Rock, Paper, and Scissors was created on a low budget. When you have a family that is going through hardships you need to have a certain type of atmosphere to make that believable. Adding too much of a budget to something like that would lessen the impact. People typically don’t think about how they would react in a crisis. You never know what you would truly be capable of unless you were put in a situation where your morals were tested. For many people, myself included, this is quite a scary realization.

Overall I think this film was pretty enjoyable. Some of the darker scenes reminded me of the Stephen King novel Misery, especially the scenes with Maria and Magdalena. I give Rock, Paper, and Scissors a 7/10. While I do think it had its fair share of problems it was still a great watch. I’d recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of psychological thrillers and foreign cinema.

ROCK PAPER AND SCISSORS hits VOD July 6

Interview with Alex Svenson of Then Comes Silence

In March 2020 I reviewed the album “Machine” by Post Punk heroes, Then Comes Silence. The band hails from Stockholm, Sweden and have had quite the success on the European music charts. I recently had the opportunity to speak with the bands founder, Alex Svenson to discuss life as a musician in 2020. To read my review of their latest album, Go here.

LM: Covid 19 has affected musicians worldwide. Bands have had to improvise and be creative when it comes to releasing new music. How has the pandemic changed you as an artist?

AS: This pandemic affected everyone, every artist with big plans for 2020, small or big. That's the only consolation we had. We're in it together. The band realized during that same week we released 'Machine', that it was going to change most of our plans for this year. It later changed to... "all plans this year". It was when the Summer festivals started to email about postponing til 2021 that we had to accept the fact for good.

Necessity is the mother of invention. We needed to find other ways to reach out, promote the album and keep communicating with our friends, fans and followers. I think it began quite early when we among other artists started to make quarantine versions of songs and post them on social media. This was something new to all of us. In our community, the online events suddenly popped up one by one. Gothicat Festival was one of the first and in my opinion the leading one in these trying times.

The concept of live stream was new. We didn't want to just film a live set in our practice space using a phone with crappy sound. We decided that if we were going to do a live stream it had to be with a professional team. Gear, camera men, a sound engineer and assistants. We put our trust in donations to cover the expenses, and it worked higher than our expectations.

LM: Live stream concerts have become the go to way to connect with fans from all over the world. This approach allows more people to see you play while removing the live concert experience. What is the thing you miss most about performing in front of a live audience?

AS: I miss everything about live shows. Sure, a live stream is better than nothing, but it's hardly the same thing in an empty room with a couple of cameras and wifi. It's stressful and confusing. Totally new to us. Some might say it's just like a live TV performance. I have done a couple of them in my music career and it's not the same at all. A live stream is more fragile. It's self produced and there's no backup if something goes wrong. I miss the noisiness, the sweat, the stage, the preparations backstage, the travelling and meeting new people.

LM: Your latest album "Machine" was released in March 2020 just before the global pandemic. The sixth track "Apocalypse Flare" seems quite fitting during this unprecedented event. Does this song have a different meaning to you now than when you had written it?

AS: No, the meaning of the song is still the same and I don't feel it's any different now when we're living in a time where we will have to face the consequences of ignorance and negligence. That's what the song is about. We all know it's heading somewhere bad. Tomorrow could be worse than today, but we still want to find that nice spot at the beach and enjoy the sun while it's still there.

LM: The soundtrack to any film is quite important. If you had the chance to have your music featured in any film which film would you choose and why?

AS: There was an Italian low budget horror film that asked permission to use a song. That was before the virus took over everything. We haven't heard what happened since then.

I know we'd love to have our music featured in any kind of film actually. Even more so... we'd like to do the whole soundtrack if someone asks us. I have worked with film scores and theatre play music before.

LM: The writing process for each artist is so different. Out of all the music you've written which song did you find the easiest to write, and which was the most difficult?

AS: Some songs were written in a day like, 'Strangers' and 'We Lose The Night'. There are always some songs that require more time. I was saving the riff for ‘Strange Kicks' for some time before it became a song. It didn't fit anywhere until some other chords mixed well together with the rest. That's quite common. You have short little melodies that you save for a better day. 'Kill It' took some time I remember.

LM: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician and what was the first song you ever wrote?

AS: I have always known I was going to work with art in some way. I have been drawing and painting since young toddler days. I discovered music quite late. I was about fourteen and one of my influential friends showed me the world of synth and electronic music. I bought a second hand Moog synthesizer and started writing simple Synthpop. I don't remember my first song. It was probably not good.

LM: What inspires you as an artist and are there any hidden meanings behind your songs or albums?

AS: Everything inspires me. Watching, listening to and studying other people. That means some serious eavesdropping of course. Movies are a great influence. I'm a gemini, I don't read books that often. I'm easily distracted. Films, audio and images give me the information more quickly and it definitely works better for me. I envy people that enjoy reading a book. It looks so peaceful. There is always something hidden in music. It's an abstract way of expression and that gives you so many possibilities and so much freedom. That makes music so interesting and powerful. I hide stuff all the time.

LM: Despite the strange events that have occurred this year TCS have managed to gain a lot of new fans. I'm sure this is both exciting and unexpected. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

AS: The music community, whether it's mostly Goth, Post-Punk, Metal, Industrial or Darkwave for some of us... it has been one of... if not the most important saviour this year. It feels like I have gained so many new friendships. It feels like I know so many of the faces I see almost everyday on social media. We have been supportive to one another. It probably would been unbearable without the contact of other people online.

Everything was soaked in the pandemic, poisoned in politics and affected by the climate change. Words like "postponed", "cancelled", "quarantine", "racist" and "lockdown" make me want to throw up.

There were some really dark days, sad moments, stressful times with a high level of anxiety, but there were also light, compassion and hope.

I would like to say thank you to everyone and see you for ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’.

** A big you to Alex for collaborating with me on this interview. If you’re interested in learning more about Then Comes Silence please visit their Facebook page. To purchase merchandise visit their Band Camp merch store. Their music is also available on streaming services such as Spotify and iTunes. 

What Lies Below Film Review

 

A 16 year old returns from camp to discover her mother has welcomed a new man into her life. This unconventional story of love and suspense takes the genre in a fresh, new direction with Braden R. Duemmler’s mystery thriller, “What Lies Below”. 

I thought I knew how this film was going to end. I did not. I was way off and that makes me happy. I really enjoyed this story. My only complaint is I want more. I want a back story on John (Trey Tucker), the love interest. His character is so multidimensional that I had a hard time figuring him out, which I think works really well here. Who is he? Where does he come from? I have so many questions. At the same time, I do think that him being so mysterious adds to the unsettling feeling I had each time he was on screen. Trey played the good, bad guy so well. He’s so believable. When I first saw him on screen my initial thought was “this man is far too good looking to be this nice”. 

It was strange yet refreshing to see Mina Suvari playing the roll of a mother. I grew up watching her in classic 90’s films from “American Beauty” to “American Pie”. She’s a natural. She’s a great actress at any age and I think this is a testament to her acting style as well as her talent as a performer. The character of Michelle is very relatable in many ways. One of which being her estranged relationship with her deceased father. She wanted to be loved by someone who put the needs of her sibling first. I think this is something a lot of viewers can relate to. I interpreted her need for love as her reasoning for falling for John so quickly. She’s vulnerable and unfortunately she was the perfect prey and an easy target. 

Ema Horvath is an up and coming actress who showcased her talent when she portrayed 16 year old Liberty. She’s shy, introverted, and a little awkward. Her relationship with her mother appears to be somewhat strained. Perhaps this is due to her inheritance from Michelle’s father. He left her a cabin in his will which has led her mother to feel as though he loved her child more than his own daughter. The mother / daughter bond is quickly tested when John starts exhibiting strange behavior.

Overall I think “What Lies Below” is a fantastic genre piece. The ending is unique and not what I expected, especially with the tone of the film during the first two acts. The story is aware but doesn’t take itself seriously. The characters aren’t overly simplistic or unintelligent. They’re a family just like you and I. They’re a little broken, a little damaged, and this lead to what unfolds during the third act. Everything flows perfectly with no feelings of forced chemistry or interactions. I suggest watching this film if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers. The ending is a complete surprise up until the last shot which I think many of you will enjoy. “What Lies Below” is being released through Vertical Entertainment on Demand and Digital December 4, 2020. 

Leslie Melville on Survival Skills (2020) which hits select theaters tomorrow before hitting VOD 12/4

Legendary actor Stacy Keach (Escape from LA, American History X) narrates Quinn Armstrong’s Survival Skills. Based on Armstrong’s 2017 short of the same name, Survival Skills is filmed in the style of a 1980’s police training video and tells the story of Jim Williams played by Vayu O’Donnell (The Weekend, Red Dead Redemption II). Jim is a happy go lucky guy with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. It’s his first day on the job and he’s got a lot to learn and some big shoes to fill.

On his very first day Jim meets Allison Lohmann played by Ericka Kreutz (A Handmaid’s Tale, Dead to Me) who is not at all impressed with Jim’s perky demeanor. Over the course of his training the unlikely duo forms a bond of sorts and we see the characters show a few touching moments. It’s Allison’s ability to see the man hiding behind his cheery disposition that I find so endearing. She opens up to him in a way that is quite unexpected and I really enjoyed their growing relationship. 

Throughout the film Jim starts to realize that police work is not at all what he had expected. He has to toughen up if he wants to make it with the big dogs. His first case was a big one. Domestic violence. It was difficult for him to walk away from a case such as this knowing that the mother and daughter needed help but were unable to ask for it. Case after case he did his best to ignore the feelings in his heart and the doubt in his head. Eventually the nagging feeling calling for justice becomes to much for Jim to handle so he reaches out to the wife with dire consequences. 

Creating a realistic case involving domestic violence is never an easy task. It’s a scenario that requires delicate hands and a thoughtful mind. This is something that happens to men, women, and children every day in the real world. I really admire Quinn’s eye for detail and relatable story line. The character of Jim is caught between two worlds. One where he’s an officer of the law sworn to protect and serve, and the other where his peaceful and caring nature yearns to make a difference in this families life. What would you do if the choice were yours? 

The final sequence of the film is not what I had expected and I certainly didn’t see it coming. The final minutes of the story are riveting and had me sitting on the end of my seat. An unexpected event for both the character and the audience puts a spin on the story that I didn’t even know I wanted until it started to unfold. Although he didn’t always make the best decisions Jim did what he felt was right and I can only admire him for that. 

I was surprised by Survival Skills on so many levels. It’s a carefully crafted, well thought out story about a man with a moral compass. This story is perfectly paired with 80’s nostalgia, comedy, and realistic, delightful characters. I would highly recommend this film if you’re a fan of unique, quirky dramas. There are plenty of surprises around every corner. 

Leslie Melville on To Your Last Death which hits VOD and home video on October 6

Miriam Dekalb (Dani Lennon), an activist for P.A.N.A.C (Peace and Non Violence Action Committee, must take on her abusive father, Cyrus, (Ray Wise) owner of Dekalb Industries. He and his accomplice known simply as Gamemaster (Morena Baccarin) are known for putting the lives of humans in jeopardy to satisfy their blood lust. In order to save her siblings, Miriam must outsmart them both and beat them at their own game.

To Your Last Death artist Carl Frank (Magic: The Gathering) uses an impressive combination of both comic book art and 2-D animation which are meant to create a graphic novel appearance. The visuals are spectacular, with the artwork being similar to what you’d find in the adult animated series Archer.

The choice of having William Shatner lend his voice to this project as The Overseer was a brilliant choice that really ties the entire film together. I found myself being enthralled with this story. Although the characters are animated there’s a human type quality to them that makes them relatable.

Gamemaster and Miriam are my favorite characters. They each create a unique balance between good and evil. The action sequences and high powered gore scenes work so well within this medium. If this were a live action film I don’t think the quick paced atmosphere would work nearly as well.

I love a story that keeps you on your toes and this one certainly does. Within the first 25 minutes of the film there are so many surprising twists that I wasn’t prepared for. If you aren’t a fan of slow burn films, and you want something that grabs your attention immediately, this film should definitely be on the top of your must watch list.

I’d recommend To Your Last Death to anyone who is a fan of horror and animation. This is such a strong and unique story that I think it deserves a 10/10 rating. The amount work that went into creating this movie is incredible. There was so much drive and determination by everyone involved. Writers Jim Cirile, Tanya C. Klein and Director Jason Axinn did a fantastic job and I look forwarding to seeing more from them.

Dinner in America - Fantasia International Film Festival

Simon, (Kyle Gallner) the lead singer of an underground punk rock band is in trouble and on the run. He’s short on time with no where to go until he meets Patty (Emily Skeggs), a 20 year old introvert with a family who looks like they came out of a Sears catalog. Patty’s stuck at a dead end job and has an adopted brother who drives her nuts. She has no aspirations and her family holds her back from the person she really wants to be. 

Simon and Patty are an unlikely duo. He’s got problems, lots of them. Although Patty is shy and withdrawn she’s able to see Simon for who he really is underneath all of that anger and aggression. Sometimes it takes an outsiders perspective to appreciate someone for who they really are. Their relationship isn’t the healthiest but they’ve met at a time in both of their lives where they’re desperately searching for something more. 

Dinner in America is a great example of how to create two completely different characters and make them coexist in the same universe. I love how Writer and Director Adam Rehmeier created this perfectly imperfect balance of light and dark. Although Simon’s problems are quite serious there are several scenes in the film that are quite comedic. The way this story is told is so unique in that although it takes place in the Midwest it could easy take place during a multitude of different time periods and locations. The beauty of the punk scene is that it’s timeless. It started in the 1970’s and still lives on today. It’s had a massive impact on the music we listen to today. 

I have a fondness for Patty because I see a little bit of myself in her character. She’s so afraid of taking risks and I think that’s because her parents are holding her back. She’s obviously being medicated and fed information that isn’t true. Imagine being 20 years old and realizing the life you’ve been living is a lie. Simon really opened up her eyes and helped her create a new identity that she has control over. We see this spark in the characters eyes that was so dull and diluted when we first met. Not all character development needs to be over the top to be effective and this film uses this to its advantage. 

Dinner in America is a part of Fantasia International Film Festival and is a great film for people who are looking for a story about an unlikely romance created in the suburbs of the Midwest. It’s unique, has character, and is quite entertaining. If you’re in the mood for something a little different this is the film for you. 

Survival Skills - Fantasia International Film Festival

Legendary actor Stacy Keach (Escape from LA, American History X) narrates Quinn Armstrong’s Survival Skills. Based on Armstrong’s 2017 short of the same name, Survival Skills is filmed in the style of a 1980’s police training video and tells the story of Jim Williams played by Vayu O’Donnell (The Weekend, Red Dead Redemption II). Jim is a happy go lucky guy with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. It’s his first day on the job and he’s got a lot to learn and some big shoes to fill.

On his very first day Jim meets Allison Lohmann played by Ericka Kreutz (A Handmaid’s Tale, Dead to Me) who is not at all impressed with Jim’s perky demeanor. Over the course of his training the unlikely duo forms a bond of sorts and we see the characters show a few touching moments. It’s Allison’s ability to see the man hiding behind his cheery disposition that I find so endearing. She opens up to him in a way that is quite unexpected and I really enjoyed their growing relationship. 

Throughout the film Jim starts to realize that police work is not at all what he had expected. He has to toughen up if he wants to make it with the big dogs. His first case was a big one. Domestic violence. It was difficult for him to walk away from a case such as this knowing that the mother and daughter needed help but were unable to ask for it. Case after case he did his best to ignore the feelings in his heart and the doubt in his head. Eventually the nagging feeling calling for justice becomes to much for Jim to handle so he reaches out to the wife with dire consequences. 

Creating a realistic case involving domestic violence is never an easy task. It’s a scenario that requires delicate hands and a thoughtful mind. This is something that happens to men, women, and children every day in the real world. I really admire Quinn’s eye for detail and relatable story line. The character of Jim is caught between two worlds. One where he’s an officer of the law sworn to protect and serve, and the other where his peaceful and caring nature yearns to make a difference in this families life. What would you do if the choice were yours? 

The final sequence of the film is not what I had expected and I certainly didn’t see it coming. The final minutes of the story are riveting and had me sitting on the end of my seat. An unexpected event for both the character and the audience puts a spin on the story that I didn’t even know I wanted until it started to unfold. Although he didn’t always make the best decisions Jim did what he felt was right and I can only admire him for that. 

I was surprised by Survival Skills on so many levels. It’s a carefully crafted, well thought out story about a man with a moral compass. This story is perfectly paired with 80’s nostalgia, comedy, and realistic, delightful characters. I would highly recommend this film if you’re a fan of unique, quirky dramas. There are plenty of surprises around every corner. Survivor Skills is an official selection at the 2020 Fantasia International Film Festival. 

Relic Film Review

Relic is a daring horror drama about the dangers of Dementia. It encompasses the heart of both horror and compassion in one of the best IFC Midnight films I have seen to date.

Kay (Emily Mortimer; Mary Poppins Returns, Shutter Island) and her daughter Sam (Bella Heathcote; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Dark Shadows) travel to visit Kay’s mother, Edna (Robyn Nevin; The Matrix Reloaded, Gods of Egypt) after she mysteriously vanishes from her home. While in the process of taking care of her grandmother, Sam starts to notice strange happenings in the house that seem rather harmless at first glance. Over time the duo discovers that something seems a little off about Edna and she seems to have returned a shell of her former self.

Relic is one of the most unique genre films I have seen in a long time. It encompasses both family and horror in the same realm without trying too hard to win over its audience. It flows beautifully and tells the tale of a daughter struggling to come to terms with her mothers dementia. The choice to use the house as a metaphor for the disease was a brilliant choice and adds to the dark atmosphere of the film. The lack of jump scares and cheap thrills is a welcomed change in modern cinema, especially ones of this caliber. I thought the darkness tone of the film matched beautifully with the haunting music and the artistic videography. They all worked so well together to create a cohesive film that is both memorable and enjoyable.

I first discovered Emily Mortimer when she played Chloe in the 2005 Woody Allen film Match Point opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johansson. After watching the trailer for Relic I could already see her character coming to life. She has this gift you rarely see in films these days. She pulls genuine emotion from her audience and makes them feel like the character she’s playing is a real person. Even though I didn’t know Kay very well as a character I identified with her as a woman and as a daughter.

Bella Heathcote is known for her portrayal of Victoria Winters in Tim Burton’s interpretation of Dark Shadows. It was great to see Bella in a more controlled environment. Her skills as an actress really shined here. Sam is a young woman who is struggling to figure out what it is she wants to do with her life and incorporating that into this story makes her someone people of all ages can relate to.

Robyn Nevin did a superb job playing Edna. I believed that she was someone’s loved one who is going through a big change in the later years of her life. I really cared about what happened to her. The way Robyn portrayed Edna’s disconnect from reality was both convincing and heartbreaking. I would definitely recommend watching her other films.

I would suggest Relic to fans who enjoy a little drama and realism in their horror films. If you’re looking for some thing that is both Erie and relatable I think this is the film for you. The entire cast is phenomenal. They bring this story to life and I really enjoyed it. I give Relic a 9/10. I wish we had gotten to know Edna before her disappearance in order to really get a good glimpse at how shocking her transformation really was. Aside from that I thought it was brilliant. Relic was praised during its opening at Sundance Film Festival in 2019. The film opens on July 10 In Theaters and also available On Demand / Digital Rental.

Camp Cold Brook Film Review Starring Danielle Harris and Chad Michael Murray

In order to go out with a bang, a team of veteran paranormal investigators travels to Oklahoma to investigate an abandoned camp where a brutal massacre occurred years earlier.

Chad Michael Murray (Gilmore Girls, House Of Wax) and Danielle Harris (Halloween 4, Rob Zombie’s Halloween 1 & 2) star in this old school style horror tale that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. It’s witty, It’s dark, and it’s a lot of fun. Chad and Danielle have such great on screen chemistry. They act like professional paranormal investigators and I believed them.

When audiences hear about a horror film that takes place at a camp there’s always that fear that the film will be lazy and ride off the coat tails of previous horror franchises. Camp Cold Brook doesn’t need to do that and is able to stand on its own. I felt like this film was a mix between 80’s horror and Ghost Adventures. The good Ghost Adventures. You know, before they started making everything up for ratings.

It’s very easy to make a paranormal film boring. It’s also very easy to rely on jump scares to carry the film. The filming techniques that were used in this movie allow the audience to have a completely different experience. I love that the creators were very mindful about how they included the technological equipment. It was very similar to what you’d see during a real paranormal investigation. You can tell everyone involved in the film did their homework on the subject and I have a lot of respect for that.

Through out the movie the team begins filming via found footage angles in order to record the events for the teams television series. This was a bold choice but I think it works really well for this specific film. I have never been a fan of the found footage genre but I think it works really well when used this way. It adds that extra “We’re not alone” feeling that helps breathe life into the film.

Camp Cold Brook is the winner of not one but two awards. Horrorhound Film Festival for Best Feature and Shriekfest for Best Horror Feature. I agree with their decisions. I think this film definitely deserves the recognition it’s receiving.

If you’re a fan of well thought out paranormal films definitely check out Camp Cold Brook. It reminds me a lot of horror films from the late 90’s and early 2000’s while remaining current and I think this will resonate with a lot of viewers. Writer Alex Carl and Director Andy Palmer are both fun and artistic filmmakers. I’ll be keeping my eye out for future projects.

Tingle Monsters Short Film Review - Final Girls Film Festival

After a long hiatus Dee, an ASMR Vlogger returns to her patient viewers only to discover that her session isn’t going to be the comeback she anticipated. Tingle Monsters highlights one of the internet’s rising trends. ASMR. For those of you who are unaware, ASMR is short for “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response". What this is referring to is the tingling sensation in the scalp and down the back of the neck that some viewers may experience while listening to particular sounds. These sounds can range from the tapping on a cup, to the ripping of paper, and most commonly, the relaxing sound of the human voice. These techniques have been known to help people who suffer from anxiety disorders as they are very soothing.

Video platforms such as YouTube and Twitch make it easy to connect with people from all over the world. As humans we have become fascinated with the lives of strangers. Tingle Monsters gives us a look into a fictional world where this lifestyle can become extremely dangerous. This short may be fictional but the subject matter certainly isn’t.

Writer and Director Alexandra Serio has a unique vision with this piece and I think it works. Her knowledge of the ASMR culture makes the story feel more authentic. Her portrayal of Dee was quite impressive especially with the time given. The difference between a short film and a full length feature is that a short film does not have the luxury of time. Instead of being able to stretch out a plot over the entirety of the film it’s condensed and when this happens it can feel very forced and unnatural. I was happy to see that this was not the case here. I felt like I was watching a real ASMR video.

I encourage all of you to give this film a watch. It’s fun, creative, and attention grabbing. Tingle Monsters is being shown at the 2020 Final Girls Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.

Swallow Film Review - Final Girls Film Festival

Hunter, an expectant mother begins her journey down a dangerous path to self destruction. Can she find a better way to cope with her loneliness or will she let it consume her? It becomes obvious very early on that although Hunter loves her husband their marriage isn’t ideal. She is constantly trying to be the perfect wife for Richie and in doing so she loses a part of herself. She lacks the ability to control her life and in an effort to gain back that control she starts experimenting by swallowing small objects. It seems perfectly harmless at first but as we dig deeper we start to realize that this has become a dangerous obsession.

Swallow is a great example of a film that concentrates on the darker side of marriage. It explains in detail what can happen when you marry someone and you spend that entire relationship not being yourself but trying to be someone else for the one you love. It’s a great way to look into a relationship without rose tinted glasses. Few films are able to do this in a way that is truly relatable.

Haley Bennett’s portrayal of Hunter is fantastic. She is able to make her character seem both relatable and detached all at the same time. It’s almost as if she’s playing two separate characters that merge together seamlessly and I applaud her for her abilities. After seeing this film I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role of Hunter.

Denis O’Hare plays the pivotal role of Irwin in this story. Sometimes it’s the characters who provide the backstory that are the important ones. They tell us about who the main character is and what they’ve gone through to lead up to the moment when we meet them. I have been a big fan of Denis’s work and I think he really shines here.

If you are a fan of strong female characters I urge you to check out Swallow. It gives a real, heartfelt look into life and shows that no one is perfect even if it appears so from the outside. I give Swallow a 10/10. The directing, writing, acting, cinematography, and music are all brilliant. It all comes together to tell the story of a perfectly imperfect housewife. Swallow debuts in select theaters and on demand on March 6, 2020 and is currently being shown at Final Girls Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.