Horror
is generally at its best when it is a reflection of the terrors of
reality. Often times, mankind is the monster under the bed and when this
truth is reflected in medium, it enhances the experience. Chris Moore's (Triggered)
upcoming feature, A Stranger Among the Living explores this concept with
a low-fi ambiance that is both haunting and uncomfortably reflective of the
violence that has ensnared America. Featuring a delightfully campy score,
moody visual compositions, and a plethora of creep, this is an outstanding
example of the power of independent cinema.
Henry,
brings information on a possible school shooter to his principal, who chooses
to ignore it and Henry opts not to inform the police. In the aftermath of
the unthinkable, Henry is pursued by otherworldly specters, whose motives
remain mysterious as the harried teacher battles for his very soul.
Moore's script is a slow burn voyage through personal hell of guilt.
Dappled with some laugh out loud moments to break the tension, this is the kind
of picture that will win or lose the viewer with the pacing. Borrowing
elements from Carpenter, Carnival of Souls and It Follows,
Moore's expertise in the genre is apparent in virtually every frame,
harmonizing with P.J. Jones vivid cinematography to create an awkward,
ominously human tableau that increases the dread with each
transition.
Lee
Firestone's editing completes the trifecta. A mix of careful and
quick-fire cuts allow the budget to be obfuscated with blood curdling
imagery. While there is violence, much of it is implied, which is the
best kind of horror, allowing the viewer's own experiences and predispositions
to create the true demons. Everything else rests upon Jake Milton's
central performance. His disconnection from society via a slow erosion of
sanity is a wonder to behold, simulating the heartbreaking separations
survivors endure. Once you are touched by darkness, it forever alters the
soul and Milton's embrace of the material drives this home, allowing the story
to barrel into a perfectly ambiguous finale. While the influences are
there, Moore's concept of guilt and grief given form is fascinating, likening
the spreading madness to an inescapable disease.
Coming
soon, A Stranger Among the Living is an outstanding independent
effort. Drawing from a vast cosmos of existential material and blending
it with the shadows that haunt the American political spectrum, this is
essential viewing for horror fans and film lovers who enjoy lower budget pieces
with heart. Relevant, mind bending, and unforgettable, A Stranger
is an unwanted guest of the mind who refuses to leave, long after the credits
fade.
--Kyle
Jonathan