Two Pigeons

Young estate agent Hussein (Mim Shaikh) has a super-thin flatmate (Javier Botet) he doesn't know about who hides away under the bed and in cupboards, only coming out when Hussein is asleep or at work in this creepy British horror-thriller from writer-director Dominic Bridges. With the action confined to one set, it's an effectively creepy and claustrophobic experience which is sure to disgust many viewers thanks to the unsavoury antics of the stick-thin Botet, but it's strangely compelling. Also makes great use of non-diegetic sound effects to ramp up the sense of growing fear and paranoia.

That was the title the movie had when I watched it at Frightfest. Not sure why they changed the title, but I think both work fine. This movie reminded me a bit of Bin-Jip (3-iron) by Kim Ki Duk. But while the Korean movie was more philosophical I guess, this is more "real" and down and dirty, not to mention has a different backstory and motive for the involving characters.

This has a couple of flaws and arguably a lead character who does not seem to sympathetic for most. But therein lies the challenge. How do you keep the viewers interested or a suspense, with characters you may not sympathize or agree with? There are also quite a few despicable things that are happening. Really awful stuff, disgusting to a degree some may feel sick watching. And no one would blame anyone feeling appalled. Still has something to tell ... actually so much to tell, that even a monologue was written at the end, that I'm not sure was necessary ...

I don't usually dig "horror/comedies"; they usually veer more towards comedy, while the scary elements are often half baked or underrepresented. This movie, however, is the new metric by which I rate how successful the movies in the genre are. Two Pigeons starts off like any urban comedy, but casually veers into such nasty and disturbing territory, it was almost like watching two or three movies, mashed into one.

The actors are talented and believable, and I found myself really growing attached to their stories. With such a small cast, it was imperative that they all had obvious chemistry, and worked well as an ensemble. I did not find a single weak link. Everyone put their absolute all into this movie, and it was literally like watching the daily lives of people you somehow know and like. It was entirely believable, and this only made the movie that much more entertaining.

Everything else about this movie was top notch, from the cinematography to the soundtrack, but the true star of the movie was the Spanish actor who played the "guest". He was so weird, shockingly skinny, and delightfully disturbing. You couldn't help but watch in disgust at some of the stuff he was getting away with. It was horrible, but hilarious. I gagged a few times.

Overall, this movie has a great premise, yet the film does not overstay its welcome. It's less than an hour and thirty minutes, and things get right into the action fairly quickly. It's a quick, yet entertaining watch, that will not be easily forgotten. A gem of a film that should be seen by anyone that appreciates concise and well executed stories.

Oh, I liked this film. I was unaware before watching that Javier Botet is involved in some of my favourite films(REC, The Conjuring 2, Crimson Peak to name three) You have to see him to believe it-this man is grotesque(sorry) and fascinating and makes the film what it is

Basic story-broken man seeks revenge on the estate agent by moving into his flat and insidiously destroying his life

It's a gross, funny and well made film

This is a a creepy yet captivating movie. It is definititely not a comedy.