A three-way dance via an unconventional chamber piece, Carl
Joglar's debut feature Nemesis is one
of the first genuine surprises of independent cinema in 2019. Produced on
a shoestring budget from a crowdfunding campaign, this is a clinic on how to
avoid low budget pitfalls. Drawing inspiration from Sarte and True Detective, Nemesis is a murky psychological thriller that features an
outstanding trio of performances and clever camerawork throughout.
McKenzie is a fugitive recovery agent, transporting a dangerous
killer, when a car accident allows her quarry to escape. In the woods,
the other driver becomes entangled in the pursuit, forcing McKenzie to confront
the truth that nothing is what it seems. Joglar also wrote the script, and it has been nominated for several awards at film festivals,
particularly for its diverse approach to its subject matter. Not only are
these real and believable characters, they are representative of the world
today, echoing its triumphs and horrors. Sarah Villegas gives a memorable
performance as the battle-hardened McKenzie. Her chemistry with Colleen
Slattery's Abigail forms the foundation of the narrative, with each actress
deftly swirling within a tempest of deception. The brilliance of the
script is in how it organically flows through each conversation. Budget
constraints ensured this would be a dialogue heavy affair, and yet Villegas'
ironclad command of McKenzie's resolve propels the story seamlessly.
Slattery enhances the skulduggery with a layered performance that she vanishes
inside of. This a complex, paranoia infused experience in which everyone
is lying and telling the truth simultaneously and Joglar's ability to balance
these paradoxes is a miracle to behold.
Rounding out the cast is Nicholas Wilder as the murderous
Noah. One of the most important aspects of Wilder's performance is that
he is the foil to the two leads. His unpredictable rogue vacillates
between malice and mania in virtually every scene and Wilder manages to mostly
stick the transitions. His scenes with Villegas and Slattery are
important, but it is the scenes in which he is absent that have the most
impact, as the specter of Noah's darkness haunts the forests and the women
within it.
The credits are a direct homage to True Detective, and yet, this is an atypical neo-noir. An
elegiac tragedy full of light and hope, two things unusual for such a film, Nemesis begins and ends with trauma in
the daylight. Alex Grene's vivid cinematography mixes close ups of the
principals with sweeping shots of the environment that gives the film an
otherworldly ambiance. It is a simple premise that is enveloped by
astounding craftsmanship and it stays within the mind's eye long after it is
finished.
Coming (hopefully) soon to digital streaming, Nemesis is an amazing, old school
cinematic experience. Films that rely on the creativeness of their crew
and the talent of their leads are always a labor of love. It is clear,
from the first frame that Joglar's vision has been realized, as the viewer is
taken into a dark Wonderland of the soul. An exceptional trio of
performances coalesces into a unique spin on the serial killer genre; a
female-centric story about deceit and the power of persuasion that is not to be
missed.
--Kyle Jonathan