Last night, I was invited to a special pre-screening of “In Fear” as part of the Sinister Cinema movie series curated by Raven Banner Entertainment and Cineplex Front Row Centre Events.
As the title implies, it’s a dark and minimalist indie horror/thriller that plays on the all too common fear of getting lost in the forest on the way to a party, campsite, or in the case of the two new lovers, a remote romantic getaway at the slice of Irish paradise known as the “Kilaidney House Hotel”. Directed by Jeremy Lovering, the plot is carried out almost exclusively by the considerable talents of Iain De Caestecker (Leo Fitz of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Alice Englert (Rosa of Ginger & Rosa) as the nubile youngsters, and Allen Leech, (Tom Branson from Downtown Abbey) as the creeping darkness.
What makes the flick unique is that 90% of it takes place in the car with the couple getting progressively more and more freaked out by the maze of signs leading them in an infinite loop. Destination: insanity.
In Fear will is not quite a horror film, more so in the creepy outdoorsy stalker genre, but it will make you feel genuinely uncomfortable and ooky inside (credit Brian Nelson Hard Candy’s screenwriter for that descriptor). Partly because there are parts where it feels like you’re being bludgeoned to death by the premise, “oh shit, we’re lost, why do we keep going on in circles when we follow the signs that are obviously leading us in an infinite loop?” Or silly Mcguffin moments like “WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PUB TOM???” But you can argue that it’s exactly the type of maniacal insanity that is required to create a specific kind of lasting revulsion that follows you home after you’ve left the theatre. You can also argue that the real takeaway of the movie is to always check Trip Advisor before making hotel reservations.
In Fear has been brought to Canada thanks to Raven Banner Entertainment and screens in Toronto at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas at 9:45 PM March 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19. And, in case you’re wondering, Raven Banner Entertainment a sales, distribution and production company, based in Toronto, specializing in genre films for the worldwide market. Their recent releases include: Stephen Sommers’ Odd Thomas, Don Coscarelli’s John Dies At The End, Nothing Left To Fear by rock legend Slash, and Adam Green’s Hatchet II.
