Casting Kill

Casting Kill. Which was shot super- quickly, with a small crew, and on a very limited budget, is a very stylish suspense thriller set in the underbelly of Hollywood filmmaking Nothing is ever quite as it seems and, indeed, Casting Kill has more twists and turns than a corkscrew. The whirlwind indie writer/ director team of Carline Spence and James Smith have been building a well=deserved reputation of late, and they are sure to have another micro - budget hit on their hands with CASTING KILL, a tense and stylish horror/ thriller hybrid with plenty of short, sharp shocks. Like a kick in the eye from a stiletto heel.

A well scripted, performed, filmed & scored horror film that reflects the movie industry tropes with aplomb and dark humor. The journey of auditioning actors and their archnemesis in the guise of a casting director, moves you through the day in the life with the added twist of horror (no spoilers!). The story is told with an ode to Hitchcock flare and a fun, popcorn worthy viewers experience. The musical score perfectly reflects the genre, though at times, seems to overshadow the scenes - but we get it! You think you know which characters you're rooting for, but you don't. So, enjoy the plot twists and the shocking, delightful journey, where you come to feel for everyone in it - in this industry.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU SEE THIS FILM!!

I have seen this twice now. Dark horror comedy at its best. Well shot great actors and great script.

The writers and Directors of this film are at the top of their game, as are the actors. Think twice before you go to an audition.

A dubious casting director lures unsuspecting actors to audition for a big part in a top film. Set in Londonin a basement flat, it is atmospheric and creepy, yet laughs are to be had at just the right moments. British Independent filming at its best, you could be forgiven into thinking it had a sizeable budget. Well worth a watch.

Gives a new meaning to The Casting Couch.

This is such a good film. James and Caroline made such a superb suspenseful thriller that takes place in the British film industry and takes Harvey Weinstein's audition process to a whole new level. The acting was really good and well conveyed throughout the entire thing. Probably the only let down was perhaps the soundtrack. Might have been a little over the top at times. The camerawork is really good and got Hitchcock vibes to it. Take the time and watch this original horror flick and I mean horror lightly as there's no jump scares or actual horrific moments. Minor gore and blood to don't worry!

I knew to expect horror; I did not expect such wit and humour as well! The unexpected one-liners and situational comedy were such a delight amidst all the creepiness. This was just an excellent black comedy, and every piece came together to fuel its success: from the near cinematography to the haunting score.

The script is particularly fresh and irreverent. It takes a common genre of horror and violence against women but avoids the misogynistic pitfalls and cliches that plague similar works. It somehow keeps you engaged, surprised, contemplative, and freshly horrified throughout-like when one seemingly disturbing act turns out to "just" be homicide, the clearly psychopathic mummy issues underlying the character's misogyny, the worst popcorn ever, and of course the unexpected ending that shows the different depths of depravity within all of us. The context of an acting casting call both creates a heightened reality of over the top theatrics while being brutally honest about the very real nightmares within the industry. Overall, the script is witty, provocative, cogent, and all too relevant.

Of course, it comes to life with stellar acting, most notably from the lead Rob Laird as Arthur Capstone. The script demands a lot of him, and he meets the challenge heroically: treading the tightrope between deadpan and camp with Olympic precision to create a character who feels uncomfortably real, like a living nightmare. I particularly loved scenes with him and Jack Forsyth-Noble as Domenic; they fed off each other's energy so beautifully and hilariously that you almost lost sight as to who was the true antagonist.

Overall, it's a must-watch for wide ranges of audiences: anyone who loves horror, comedy, black comedy, social commentary, and honestly just well-done art.