Masking Threshold

Okay. This is a tough one. I have a range of emotions after watching this movie, it has proposed a lot to think about, and some critical dilemmas too. Johannes Grenzfurthner has put together a risky, experimental, hard-on-senses eldtrich tale of obsession, desperation and the unexplainable. And all for only 20'000 moneys. It's a hard to love film, but it will find its way to its audience. Spiritually and thematically it has parallels with movies like "Primer" and Darren Aronofsky's "Pi", and also has lovecraftian angles.

The entire film consists of pretty much only close-ups, ranging from a few medium shots to a myriad of extreme macro photography. "Masking Threshold" is pure DIY madness, laid over a dangerously patient, but inventive and equal amounts repulsive and fascinating script. It must've taken a seriously long time to make the script a reality, for the monologue practically never ends, and the shot count seems to be unbelievably high. Additionally, the editing and sound design is very well done and fits the storytelling. There's a video-diaryl/youtube/desktop-film/documentary/POV feel and aesthetic, yes, all of those combined in one. 99% of the character spotlight is only on one, Ethan Haslam playing a character whose name we never learn, but he's aptly named "protagonist" on Imdb. The entire movie is narrated by his diary-like thought process, and the task at hand. He has made a make-shift lab in his apartment, and sets out to find a cure or at least a reason for his insufferable hearing impairment. Our protagonist works in IT, is a huge skeptic, desperate, suffering, and going down a deep and otherworldly rabbit hole... The movie, in a way, remains the same until the culmination, but at the same time shifts and turns constantly. In its first half or less, "Masking Threshold" requires an extra patience in answer to its tepid pacing, and quite quickly I learned this film requires pretty much constant focus and thought. But it all leads into more and more distressing vibes and a hands-down weird, grimy and darkly philosophical final act, which I'll admit kept me glued to the screen. At times "Masking Threshold" feels quite distressing, provocative, even repulsive, both visually and thematically. It's hard to pinpoint just one top message or theme, Grenzfurthner's concoction is a story of delusional obsession, a tale of today's society's madness, a modern Lovecraft story, a frightening presentation of nature itself. Despite all its flaws, this independent micro-budget feat is almost never less than fascinating. Granted, if you're prepared to give a chance to a reasonably unorthodox film that stretches and changes many standards of every day films. It's as indie as it gets. I honestly hadn't really seen a film like this before. For those whose interest might be piqued by the lovecraftian angle, I'll admit that one hour into I couldn't really see why it was gaining this reputation, but later and in the afterthought, I have to say, it is boldly and proudly very much along the lines of H. P. Lovecraft's literature and mythos.

In its extremely small, but eventually so vast feeling world, "Masking Threshold" makes itself as big as it could possible be, and might be one of the most original horror film I've seen, and one that gave the biggest mixed bag of feelings. It's not an easy watch, and I believe there are many turn-downs for many people, but overall it's a beast that I can't help but admire in the most odd of ways. I like movies that make me ponder a lot. Very hard to rate it. My rating: 7/10.

Might be a semi-decent podcast, but it's a terrible movie.

It's made out of a series of extreme close ups, most of which don't really have anything to do with what's being said. It's just headache inducing.

Then there's no story and the narration itself is comprised by things you've already seen or heard around the internet.

The concept and visuals are ok, but I would love to see an actual movie of it instead of just the ramblings of a weirdo. It could be kinda Lovecraftian if it wasn't so pretentious.

The fact that 'you haven't seen anything like it doesn't make it good.

The main fault of this thing is that it got old and boring really fast.

The 4 out of 10 I'm giving it is for what could have been.

This is a masterful piece of movie making, reminiscent of Poe's The Telltale Heart. A horror ASMR film with a faceless protagonist describing his efforts to prove his sanity. In fact, what we see as an audience is a detailed decent into madness. The brutality and delusions continue to escalate as the movie moves along. I entered in to this experience with no idea of what i was in for. This was a nice surprise. However, this film is nor for everyone. I'm trying to just describe the feeling of this film without ruining it for that 1in 5 person that will love it. The plot description says all you need to know going in.

First things first, this isn't really horror per se, but I suppose going insane would be considered horror. This film focuses on senses in every way possible, sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. It's those senses that intensifies over time and for some, becomes a crutch into self isolation as it turns into psychological paranoia.

The film introduces you into each of these senses with spiraling inner thoughts spoken out as the film goes on, and then leads to full blown insanity that ends in surrender. If you focus on the underlying context without feeling bored, you'll understand why this film plays out this way.

Complete insanity in doses.

Wow, so I can't say much without going into spoiler territory but my god this movie is fricking amazing!! I rented it on a streaming site because the trailer looked good, but little did I know how amazing this movie was going to be.

Let me warn you, if you are looking for action you might want to look elsewhere but if you are in the mood for a mental workout then this is your movie. Several things separates this movie for other movies dealing with declining mental states mainly the script, acting and cinematography. The script must have been insane to write. Even when the script gets into scientific minutia it is still compelling enough to keep the layman interested.

The acting is amazing! Basically done in a voiceover, Ethan Haslam does the voice of our main character and he is so compelling that you actually feel his sanity start slipping away.

Shot almost entirely in close up I can't even imagine how this was filmed. If any one of these elements weren't 100% this movie would have failed big time. But everything fit into place and made Masking Threshold a unique and genuinely disturbing movie.