Pet

I've seen the trailer for this movie a while ago and it captivated my attention, so I was interested in seeing this film, but held no high expectations for it.

From the trailer and the poster of this movie, I had an idea of what this movie might be, but I was a little surprised when it started developing into something I didn't quite expect. Not to say it's bad, the storyline was very interesting.

The start of the movie had a great creepy-stalker vibe to it, and as the movie progresses, it really grabbed my attention and I was curious to see how it would further develop. The two leads, Ksenia Solo (Holly) and Dominic Monaghan (Seth) both gave great performances; I also really like the concept of this story. The only issue I have for Pet, was that it didn't feel like it fully developed into anything. Sure, the story and characters were entertaining to watch, but I couldn't help but feel like the movie could have gotten more interesting or added more "events" that took place.

Overall, it's a solid psychological movie. I liked the idea of it, but wish there was more done to it. Around midway through the film, it just felt like things were at a standstill and nothing more was going to happen.

I'd recommend watching it if you have the time, it didn't feel like a waste of time at all. I only wished that there was more done that could have made this movie much more entertaining of a watch, as half the movie didn't feel like much happened.

Holly (Ksenia Solo) is young, beautiful and single. She smokes a lot and aspires to become a writer. She also has an obsessed stalker (Dominic Monaghan), who kidnaps and imprisons her in a dog cage. But Holly has a very dark secret, giving the film a major plot twist. I found Pet to be fairly tense, well acted (Monaghan does a great American accent, something that many Brits can't do - and vice versa), and there is some seriously strong violence and gore. The cast is pretty small, which helps keep it tight. In particular I liked Da Vone McDonald as the security guard, who provides a little light relief in what is a very dark movie. The plot twist does stretch believability, which is the only real negative for me, but overall Pet is a decent watch.

Pet (2016): Seth (Dominic Monaghan) works in an animal shelter where he discovers a forgotten basement. His attempts to get Holly (Ksenia Solo) to date him are rebuffed. He stalks her online, at the Café where she works, follows her. When her ex punches him he gets more determined. He abducts Holly and imprisons her in a cage in the basement. Holly is no ordinary victim though, she has unexpected depths. Quite a few surprises and plot twists in this dark thriller. Although there are some gory and shocking scenes the emphasis is on psychological horror, paranoia and manipulation. Directed by Carles Torrens from a script by Jeremy Slater. 7/10.

Seth (Dominic Monaghan) works at the animal shelter. He runs into waitress Holly (Ksenia Solo) on the bus. She doesn't remember him but he remembers her. He has had a crush on her since school and starts becoming obsessed. Claire (Jennette McCurdy) is her roommate and she is still hounded by her ex Eric. Seth tries to ask her out but she rejects him. He steals her notebook. He sets up a cage in the basement of the animal shelter and kidnaps her. Security guard Nate is usually the only one around and nobody can hear her over the animal noises.

This has a couple of actors that I like. The first half of the movie struggles to pick up the pace in a seemingly predictable kidnapping film. There is a reveal of something different and more interesting around the halfway point. This may work better to compress the first half and do the kidnapping earlier. Monaghan may also be better off playing it less creepy and more of a good Samaritan. This takes the standard horror and gives it a twist. It has potential but doesn't fully achieve an engaging movie.

A socially maladjusted animal shelter maintenance man cannot avoid lusting after an old high school schoolmate. She thoroughly rebuffs him yet he won't take no for an answer. Because he's clearly psycho he decides to kidnap her and hold her captive. From there you're only wondering how she will escape or if she will escape. As I was hunkering down preparing for some crazy hunter/prey interaction the movie strayed a bit off course. At first I was thrown but then I thought, "this could be cool. Strange, but cool." Well, it never got any better than strange. It never entered the realm of cool. If anything it got weird and a little ridiculous. The potential was there it just didn't deliver.