The Notorious Finster

SETTING: Rural and stunning CINEMATOGRAPHY: Boozy, warm, and well thought out. It tells the story beautifully without taking attention away from the scene.

STORY: A dark, patient take on your typical 'whodunnit' serial killer movie. The film has a sense of empathy for the victims and everyone caught in the crosshairs of the killer and their violence. The theme of alcoholism and obsession are very heartfelt. Annie and Reyna are also a ton of fun to watch on screen together as an enabling, chaotic friendship that has an air of something more? Subtextual romance?

SFX: I thought the makeup in this film was very good.

SCOPE: This is definitely an indie film. I give it five stars not because there's no room for polish or improvement, but because I am INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED with the production quality, performances, and overall craft of this film for such an incredibly small team and budget. There are films out there with 10x the budget and about half the value.

This movie is worth a watch. Best paired with a rainy night and a warm blanket.

Henderson has elevated his delivery with this suspenseful movie. This is a great who-done-it storyline with unsettling, and sometimes untrusting relationships at its foundation. The gore-factor is relevant without it taking center stage. It is just enough to depict the scene without it being over-the-top. Henderson does a good job of leaving you wondering and unsettled until it all unfolds. Several scenes deliver a solid shock-value causing immediate reaction. One scene delivers a very intense dose of noxious imagery which left me watching with one eye peeking between my fingers. Totally worth the watch!

This movie feels very realistic. Many of the killing scenes are not shown. There isn't much space for victims being tortured, screaming for help. The lack of shenanigans makes the movie a little more creepy and more focused on the characters.

Several of the characters are quite broken people with some sad stories. That gives the movie another note of complexity. I liked this one. The whole time I was watching it, I couldn't figure out why it was listed in the "horror section" on Prime. I think it deserves to be in drama or thriller but I definitely recommend it.

I thought the production value was pretty good for a low budget indie.

Journalist and her husband move to the country to escape city living and temptations of a dangerous lifestyle. Journalist doesn't leave her old world behind her just a new scenery with twists and turns. Usually not into indie thrillers but my friend suggested it and boy was I on the edge of my seat the whole time. Somewhat gory but had that creekety Texas chainsaws old school feeling the whole time. Great cinematography in the scenery. Also noted that for not recognizing any of the cast, I am excited to see them all in other roles- they were all very compelling especially the lead. I also loved the horse scene !

This one took me by surprise - it was really a really good film! I found myself engaged from the very beginning and it managed to check most of the boxes I look for in a film. The story follows a tenacious writer, Annie who works closely with a detective (Det Sgt Brady) to track down a serial killer that took a short hiatus but is now back on their radar. Annie has some demons of her own and struggles to keep her eye on the ball. Annie finds a new friend who shares in her very same struggles and the relationship between the two is compelling. Very well done film and a most definitely worth the watch!