Eight Eyes

Austin Jennings creates a darkly romantic portrait of Serbian family dysfunction. It explores a couple's (Cass and Gav) travels while filming footage with vintage equipment.

The story follows them until meeting a stranger, Saint Peter. Then like with many cinematic tropes of the American tourists in a foreign country, things go array.

It's slow moving but if you are a film technie, this film is for you. The director explores Italian filmmaking, 70s Giallo and horror genres by using practical effects with a selection of cameras. Although Jennings really tried to produce something new, rather than mimicking.

The acting by Emily Sweet as Cass, the woman in peril, holds the storytelling with the performance of Bruno Veljanovski as Saint Peter. Location shots are well photographed and as well as interior shots of trains, apartments, etc.

Despite the good reviews from fans of Eastern European horror flicks, I did not get this one. It was like Hostel but with a touch of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but less exciting than both. It was cliche, and the scenes were all over the place. I cannot imagine how this got so much rave and good reviews. It was underacted and the cinematography was ineffective in depicting the situation. I wished the movie was longer, and the story had so much to offer other than bland horrifying scenes and underwhelming chase scenes. There was a lack of good character arc and the story was linear, so much so that the entire film was boring to watch.

Eight Eyes, to me, especially after viewing the Blu-ray extras (be prepared to get talked down to by a co-writer!), is more of a technical feat than anything else. Vinegar Syndrome (in their first original film production) seemed to have set out to create as authentic of a 70's grindhouse (also, giallo) experience as possible. I'd say they succeeded. So... kudos? There IS still a movie to write.

It's certainly well-shot and well-acted, with standout performances by Emily Sweet as Cass, and Bruno Veljanovski as Saint Peter. Also, incredible setting. You really can't go wrong filming horror in Serbia. I've seen some seriously messed-up stuff sourced from this region of Europe.

Where this film really falters is the story. It is precisely one half Hostel, the strangers-in-a-strange-land trope, and one half Texas Chainsaw Massacre (substitute the mask of flesh with a mask of wax spatterings... and lots of unpleasant nudity). For what seems like such an insane film production, this horror movie surprised me precisely ZERO times. There is one kind of a new-agey twist (the concept of the eight eyes), but it's pretty heavily foreshadowed, and you're led right to it. Like any other event in this movie, you're always led to what would be the most logical choice if you're reading Horror 101. And it follows through right to the final frame! ...Insert The Price Is Right losing sound here... This is obviously what disappointed me most, in what appeared to be a promising endeavor.

Eight Eyes takes you on a wonderful trip of tension building and release cycles. 16mm film, in camera effects, and the eastern European setting mesh well to create a cohesive art direction for this memorable film.

I was pleasantly surprised by the restrained use of gore. What was there was effective, but never so much or so often as to become desensitizing or tiresome.

The acting was fantastic (especially female lead and the main antagonist) with a solid script. It also includes an interesting story/thematic twist on the genre. So, while the film nailed the genre(s) it was going for, it was also unique and memorable. Definitely worth a watch for anyone into indie or throwback/analog horror.

If you're in the mood for a bizarre and twisted journey that blends the mundane with the otherworldly, 'Eight Eyes' might be the cinematic trip you didn't know you needed. Directed by Austin Jennings, this 2023 film takes a couple's strained relationship and hurls it into the realm of the surreal, leaving viewers both intrigued and bewildered.

As the film opens, we're introduced to Cass and Gav, a couple whose relationship is hanging by a thread. Their decision to travel through Serbia seems like a last-ditch effort to salvage their love, but little do they know, they're about to stumble into a web of strangeness spun by the enigmatic Saint Peter. The initial setup is intriguing; a troubled couple, a mysterious local, and the exotic backdrop of the Balkans create a perfect storm of tension and intrigue.

Jennings masterfully crafts an atmosphere of unease as the trio embarks on their impromptu adventure. The Serbian landscapes, with their rugged beauty, become a character in their own right, adding an eerie sense of isolation. The film excels at building a sense of foreboding, with Saint Peter's eccentric behavior and cryptic references to psychic abilities leaving the audience as uncertain as Cass and Gav about what lies ahead.

As the story unfolds, 'Eight Eyes' takes a sharp turn into the realm of the occult, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. The rituals and supernatural elements introduced are both captivating and disorienting, making it challenging for viewers to discern what's real. This descent into the surreal is both the film's strength and weakness. While it provides an intriguing twist, it also risks losing viewers who prefer a more grounded narrative. The film's exploration of the human psyche and the potential for self-deception is fascinating, but it may leave some viewers feeling like they're being led down a rabbit hole of confusion.

The performances are commendable, with the actors successfully conveying the growing unease and desperation within their characters. As the story progresses, the dynamics between the trio become increasingly complex, adding layers to the narrative. However, the script's reliance on cryptic dialogue and vague motivations might leave some viewers frustrated, wishing for more clarity amidst the chaos.

'Eight Eyes' is undoubtedly a bold and daring cinematic endeavor. It offers a unique blend of psychological thriller and occult horror, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea. The film's exploration of the unknown and the human mind is both its allure and its downfall, as it can be simultaneously fascinating and frustrating.