You'll never find me

This year has seen the release of another slow-burn horror film that is underrated. This film is not only underrated but also quite entertaining but it's slightly close to a 7/10 unfortunately.

The cinematography is well-paced and smoothly delivered, ensuring a steady and unshaken viewing experience. This is undoubtedly one of the strangest horror films I've ever watched, but it's not bad. It could have been worse, but about 60 minutes in, the third act took an unexpected turn. I thought I was going to give up, but I persevered. 'You'll Never Find Me' almost feels like an experiment exploring the modern erosion of societal trust. Its themes and messages are as clear as day, even under the cover of night. Bell and Allen masterfully play with every situational expectation, from Patrick's reclusive behaviors to the innocent young woman who seems destined for a missing person's photo on a milk carton. There is enough bubbling tension and otherworldly suspense to keep us engaged, even if the concept tests our patience at times.

In Conclusion: 'You'll Never Find Me' finds horror in the mere existence of humanity. Despite this, it doesn't fail to be both relevant and horrifying. The third act, in particular, gave me a jolt, as if I'd been kicked in the boot, but it only added to the overall suspense and intrigue of the film."

If twisty turny stories are your thing, then look no further.

Is it an arthouse movie? Is it a horror? A psychological drama? Is it all of the above?

Without giving too much away, I would say that some people will hate the very slow and deliberate script, direction and editing of the 'action'.

I loved the to and fro of the dialogue in the first hour which makes you think the story may go one way or another. Then, when the movie makes its decision it is still compelling, The end was a little contrived for my liking but still, those with a little patience will love the movie.

Has to be said the acting is first class.

What a mixed experience this turned out to be! The writing constantly keeps you guessing for the first two acts, and the fantastic sound design and lighting choices add to the underlying mystique. The two lead performances are deliciously first-rate, making us question their inner motives with each passing scene.. at least for a good chunk of the film's first hour. The framing in these sections consists of several uncomfortable, unforeseen close-ups. But by the time it moves into the final act, a sudden wave of "oh no!" just takes over, replete with overblown edits and messy color patterns.

And to think, the same film effortlessly made me feel on edge during the initial (often philosophical) exchanges between the two characters, further deflates the experience overall. The woman character, especially, is oddly written. There are stretches where we as audiences are made to think she's harboring some dark secrets (or questioning if she's even a real person or just a manifestation?), and a little later, the same applies to the man. This leads to random jumps in character perspectives, albeit for short periods. Also, while the man's state of mind gets somewhat better detailing in the final act, the woman's side of things lacks a finite arc (..and was that even intentional?).

Once again, a glorious reminder that in order to be impactful, horror movies don't need a big budget. "You'll Never Find Me" effortlessly proves this point, delivering a very tense and impactful experience that lingers long after the credits roll. "You'll Never Find Me" doesn't rely on cheap jump scares; instead, it builds a slow-burning tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This Australian horror gem is a testament to the fact that a well-crafted story, combined with thoughtful direction and a dedicated cast, can create an atmosphere of dread and suspense that rivals any blockbuster production. It's such a joy seeing a passion project work so well on all levels.

This movie had the potential to be something amazing with the initial one hour that it takes to set everything up. However, in the end the creators went for a weak ending which didn't stack up to all the investment made by the viewers upfront. It almost seemed like theu ran out of ideas on how to end the movie and took the easy way out. The acting is on point and the tension is always there. The camera work and the lighting is also done super well. The ending for horrors or thrillers are hard to set up, but the disappointment becomes even more pronounced when the story holds a lot of promise upfront. This is such a case.