Streaming on Shudder from Dark Sky Films!
Directed by Joshua Erkman.
Written by Bossi Baker, Joshua Erkman.
Check out the trailer here!!
A photographer named Alex (Kai Lennox) takes a trip to the desert in order to recapture the inspiration he once had towards the medium. But what he finds in the desert is dark and deadly.
A DESERT is a Neo-noir slash horror thriller that they just don’t make too much anymore. Well, it’s making a comeback, as this one reminded me of a more introspective STRANGE DARLING mixed with a heavy dose of the Cohen Brothers’ BLOOD SIMPLE. The film shifts perspective, has surprising turns, and keeps you on your toes. It’s an unpredictable monster of a film that doesn’t specify what is going on and feels more like a stream of consciousness film that meanders a bit at the beginning, but once it starts getting good, it gets really, really good.
The film consists of a few really strong performances. Kai Lennox has had roles here and there. You might remember him from a smaller role in GREEN ROOM, but I remember him as the guy who gets his brains bashed in by Roller Girl’s roller skates in BOOGIE NIGHTS. Either way, he gives a strong and likable performance as a man who is trying to recapture what drove him to photography in the first place by revisiting these desolate places. Alex is a naïve character who puts himself in danger for the thrill of it by going into these places but is definitely not prepared for the horrors that he finds. He’s so busy picking out the right angle and direction to shoot and not paying attention to what might be lurking in the corner. The first act of A DESERT is full of these moments where Alex is filled with inspiration from these places but is oblivious to the darkness around him until it’s too late.
The other amazing performance is from Zachary Ray Sherman as Renny, who is a dead ringer for a young Willem DaFoe. It’s pretty evident from the get-go that Renny is bad news, but we don’t know how bad he really is until he strikes. It’s an iconic villainous role that should garner him bigger and better things. You really end up despising this character by the end. Sarah Lind from A WOUNDED FAWN also gives an exceptional performance as Alex’s wife. She is put through a lot in this movie and is really one of the most sympathetic of the bunch during the painful climax. I also really liked David Yow as a gruff detective who shows both how formidable his intuition and inspection skills really are as well as a bumbling goon side that provides some much-needed humor during this dark movie. Ashley Smith has a smaller role as Susie Q, a temptress who works with Renny. She has a distinct look about her and adds some nice heft to the role with equal parts, hardness from the street and softness of the soul.
I’m being vague about specific plot points. The darkness I refer to over and again in this review is portrayed ambiguously in this film. Is this a supernatural film? There are scenes that hint that it might be. Then again, these horrible people Alex run into could just be completely fucked up and that’s that. The decisive moments are absolutely riveting and revolting, leaving the viewer in a desolate and dire place. I felt run down and ruined like the subject matter Alex takes photos of by the end of A DESERT. This is a film that needs more eyes on it. It’s filled with neo-noir feels that were prevalent in the nineties with a dark tone and some really nasty moments. Still, it is snug in the horror genre as it gets pretty gross and deals with some very dread-filled moments. Whether you label it neo-noir, detective thriller or straight up horror, A DESERT is a wonderfully effective little movie that’ll leave you hurting.
