The Woman Under the Stage

The Woman Under the Stage is a story about struggling theatre actress Whitney (Jessica Dawn Willis) who has signed on for the lead in a mysterious and possibly cursed stage play with a rigorous and unorthodox production, lead by the Captain Kurtz of this expedition, the play's director Terrance Durrand (Matthew Tompkins) which brings her close to madness in order to achieve immortality upon the stage. It is always a challenge for filmmakers to bring the complexity of relationships, egos and clashing methods that come from behind the scenes of a theatrical production. Yet this haunting film from Director Ezekiel Decker and Producer Mitch McLeod does just that.

I had the privilege of experiencing The Woman Under the Stage on the big screen at it's Dallas premiere. The bigger the screen, the better for this feast of the eyes in ultra wide framing. The cinematography by Evan Burns is beautiful through it's use of premium glass upon a RED Helium 8K camera. Burns' eye for this world is as bright as the lights above the stage, yet stark and suffocating every waking moment away from it, just like how the characters feel in their core every moment they aren't allowed to perform. Left only with intrusive thoughts and crippling depression. You feel this unholy pain not only through the brilliant performances of the actors, but through Burns' imagery. Every shallow focus shot of Jessica Dawn Willis' doe eyes in various stages of emotion from concern to pure terror is a joy. The editing and color work by Marc Rouse was noteworthy as Rouse's steady hand knows when to cut away and when not too, allowing the extra time for a shot to breathe and sink into it's audience like whispers of the ghosts that inhabit the theater halls.

The film felt like equal parts Fincher, Cronenberg and Flanagan with it's tone, color palate and pacing. With some serious Iñárritu vibes as well. Yet it is it's own thing entirely. The smaller cast allowed everyone their moments to shine. Willis and Tompkins gave excellent performances as the leads, but I found myself especially drawn to the character of Phillip Costigan, played brilliantly by Phil Harrison. Harrison inhabited the role of the play's resident method actor with such pretentiousness and gravitas, that I couldn't look away when he was on screen. The Woman Under the Stairs is a film that outperforms its budgetary constraints (under $1 Million), by bringing together this supremely talented group of filmmakers, crew and actors. I highly recommend this film not only for drama/horror fans, but especially those of us that were theatre kids in high school, college and beyond. It speaks to you in certain ways that only those who have stood above the bright lights of the stage, looking into the dark abyss of the audience for those brief moments that seemed to last an eternity, as you waited for the approving rise of applause to justify your very existence, and what lengths you will go to in order get that feeling again.

The atmosphere in this movie is built with such a confidence that a lot of the scenes shake you up just by letting you in.

A very interesting story told valiantly, but not without faults. The horror moments are a little underwhelming, but still manage to strike the right chord.

The cinematography is hit or miss throughout, but some of the moments on stage shine!

The drama in the story takes it's time, and had they been lesser actors involved, it might've dragged, but with this team, you're locked into their emotional voyage of finding out what they truly want!

I would like to see more from Absentia Pictures!

The Woman Under the Stage is a psychological drama that pulls you further in as the story unfolds. I genuinely got more interested as it progressed.

What didn't work for me were the horror sequences. There is a proper setup into these nightmares with a cup, but something about the escalation and the environment lost me. These sequences look fantastic and they do ramp up in intensity with some great visuals. But, I found a hook missing or something to land that connection.

What does work is the drama. There are truly incredible performances, especially by the leads Jessica Willis and Matthew Tompkins. And a tender scene between Willis and Ashley Spicer clutches on miscommunication that lands the kind of dramatic comedy I eat up.

Next to the performances and overall horror in show business theme, its greatest strength is the cinematography. This movie looks unbelievable for it's small budget. This is about a play and it's lit and shot with all the drama you could envision.

This is one of the best films to come out of the North Texas film scene in recent years.

More psychological than thriller, The Woman Under the Stage is a rarity in low budget horror in the sense that it delivers on a great script and, even more rare in the genre, incredible actors to tell a story that isn't entirely unique but not derivative either. The main trio consisting of Jessica Dawn Willis, Matthew Thomkins, and Phil Harrison are amazing to watch, with strong supporting characters and actors throughout. Rather uncommon for something this, there are no weak links here. The story twists and turns throughout and while it isn't necessarily difficult to follow what's going on it will leave you wondering what is reality from start to finish. The scares are effective, but they are overshadowed by the drama which is the real selling point of the movie. It presents a core that is, again, uncommon in low budget horror and therefore elevates it above the rest. A strong meditation on the themes of artistic sacrifice that have probably been delivered better elsewhere but not in this way and not on this budget. Worth looking at on Amazon Prime.

The Woman Under the Stage is a psychological thriller that deftly builds on the inner turmoil of the characters, taking a dark journey down the theatrical labyrinth. It hinges on the lead character's descent into a mysterious scenario, and Jessica Willis gives a bravura performance. She carries the movie in a strong, yet vulnerable way that takes the audience along with her every bit of the way.

The interaction with the other lead, portrayed by Matthew Tompkins, makes the picture a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with palpable tension. The screen shines every time these two have a scene together.

The director Ezekiel Decker commands a masterful use of close-ups that heightens the emotions of the characters. Jessica Willis captures every nuance of what her character thinks and feels. The audience need only look at her silent expressions to understand what her character is experiencing.

The plot is somewhat reminiscent of Inland Empire in a good way. The protagonist struggles to make sense of unknown goings-on as an actor in a possibly cursed production. Jessica Willis matches Laura Dern for intensity and subtlety in a breakthrough role.

Ezekiel Decker's original music is another highlight, seamlessly fitting to evoke the atmosphere. This is a powerful debut that is elevated beyond typical horror into the psyche of damaged characters.