They Look Like People

I liked the idea behind 'They Look Like People'. It reminded me quite a bit of 'The Babadook', a film which I absolutely loved. Unfortunately it felt like a poor man's 'Babadook'. It didn't quite work on the same level that that one did. The mystery element still works, because the film world isn't like the real world. Any film maker can just decide at the drop of the a whether he wants to stick to the laws of the world we live in, or just completely abandon them and do his own thing. So we are never quite sure exactly how much of the mystery in films like this is going to turn out to be true. That's why it works. What doesn't work as well is the tempo and mood of this film. 'The Babadook' managed to be a horror, while also telling its extremely smart story. I'm not sure exactly what genre 'They Look Like People' would fall into though. Probably if I had to pick one I'd say drama. Any old film can fall into the drama category though, and that's where I think this film fails. It doesn't clearly identify itself well enough.

It's a very short film at only 80 minutes, and they pass by quick enough. While there's never really a lot happening, it also never drags. We, the audience, are always on the look out for clues and hints as to what the characters are actually dealing with here, and that keeps things ticking. The final scene is far and away the best the movie has to offer, and is actually extremely well directed. I would've liked another 10-15 minutes on the end to tie up a few loose ends, but it wasn't to be. I think this film could have been more than what it is, but even still it's a pretty watchable experience.

"They look like people" is one of those movies that makes you think rather than cringe. Its like a psychological drama/horror. The scariness of this movie can vary from individual to individual due to how they each interpret and think into it. There is great use of atmospheric sounds in this movie, which i personally love. I love the creeping and building sense of dread this movie offers. It is a little daring of the filmmakers to go for such a craved concept, yet on such a tight and low budget. This movie has no gasping or jaw dropping scenes, and there isn't much blood at all, but it still has great body and still feels very full. I couldn't look away the whole time. This movie has the ability to pull you in and not let up until your feeling less boggled by it. The character development was great. We really get to know them. I kept wanting to see how very creepy situations panned out between main characters. You can almost predict the outcome of this movie, but then you second guess yourself, and this happens multiple times throughout the movie. Overall I thought this was a pretty good movie with good acting and a very eerie vibe. I would rate it 6.5 out of 10 stars.

There are many low budget films that simply come off as vanity projects for those involved. Then there are low budget movies that are obvious labors of love, and that make every effort to work with their small budget to achieve something fresh, new and unique. This is definitely one of those films. The premise is simple, if a bit clichéd; A man with low self-esteem helps a friend (who is very sure of himself) during a time of need. The thing is, this friend believes that people are being replaced by monsters, and that a secret war is raging that no one but him is aware of.

The film does a great job in balancing the more outlandish elements of the premise with some very real and entertaining interaction between the two male leads. These men are great at what they do, and their chemistry is wholly evident in the ease in which scenes transition from lighthearted play to tension-filled dread. These two obviously got along during the production of this film, and it clearly shows in the final product (The one aspect in which many of these types of movies fail is not having a chemistry between their actors).

The special effects are sparse but work within the context of the film, and the direction might be simple, but again, I believe the film benefits from it. There are no fancy techniques, no crazy camera work to be found; this is a director working with a very select few talented people, and focusing on their interactions and reactions to the events in the film.

That being said, I am most impressed by the comedic elements, as they not only added a sense of levity to an otherwise somber film, but the actors were so convincing, you could not help by smile at their antics (Sock Wars brought a healthy dose of nostalgia). In the end, the film does what many others do not; it removes ambiguity, and allows the viewer to better understand the message behind the movie without the dreaded, "What was the point of all that?" that plagues many film endings.

Overall, this film is not going to win anyone over, as it does not do anything particularly well enough to garner the "art-house psychological horror" sub-genre any more fans, but to those of us that enjoy these types of movies, it is a welcomed addition. A solid effort all around, and the casting agent should be commended for choosing such a talented and charismatic ensemble.

I'm not sure how to feel about this movie, mainly because I don't think it belongs in the horror genre. Two long-lost brofriends have a brounion and bro down for a while before Handsome Bro realizes that Beardo Bro is having some kind of mental breakdown. Or is he? Maybe. Or IS he? Yes. Probably. OR IS HE? You get the idea. And it just kind of goes on like that for a while until it eventually ends. I guess it's really a story about friendship? I don't know. But I didn't hate it. And I have to give Handsome Bro props -- not just because he's handsome. That bro is a good dude, man.

While this film has an intriguing premise, the pacing and overall writing is slightly bland. Writers tend to believe that realism, has to be boring. I'm not 100% certain what the overall take of this movie was supposed to be but did enjoy the element of trust, with someone you love, through thick and thin. Thought it was a heartwarming display that love & trust can get you through anything. Found it refreshing that a film like this, didn't end in horror (for once). Definitely worth a watch but this is no Spielberg, IMAX experience. It is a very slow indie film, that I recommend you go in with low expectations, for the best experience. Not the greatest film of the year but Perry Blackshear has talent and a promising career (if he's willing to acknowledge his flaws asa filmmaker). 5.8/10.