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| Images Courtesy of CWM Entertainment |
Watching
Christopher Wesley Moore's filmography evolve over the last decade has been a
genuine pleasure. One of the most creative queer voices in independent
filmmaking, Moore's films use horror tropes as a means to explore issues such
as abortion, conversion therapy, and repression. His latest
offering, Until You're Alone might be his best work yet. Using
Giallo as a framework, this new slasher is his most contemplative, examining
questions about identity, projection, and self-love. The result is a
hilarious, shocking, and wonderful homage to the blood-soaked thrillers of the
70's.
Drew is an uptight architect with a failing marriage who is unwillingly drawn into a murder investigation involving a serial killer who is preying upon young men within the city. Teaming up with a free-spirited sex-worker, Drew not only confronts a dangerous truth about his community, he also learns to accept himself. Moore's script is filled with his patented flourishes; however the dialogue seems more developed. While When the Trashman Knocks might be his most personal film, this is without question his most mature. Moore also stars as Connor, a prostitute who helps Drew with his amateur sleuthing. Delivering his lines with panache, Moore's turn is both laugh-inducing and heartbreaking and easily the best performance of his career.
This is what is so striking about this picture. Many independent films
tend to be vanity projects or cheap cash ins on ideas from other artists and
genres. Instead, Moore continues to hone his craft, develop a stable of
talent, and aggressively confront the horrors of the world head-on through
heart, humor, and gallons of fake blood. Jo-Ann Robinson, perhaps Moore's
best co-conspirator, returns for yet another thrilling performance as a
conservative preacher's wife who hires Drew to construct a new church. As
always, her performances are both layered and ominous, and she manages to
command every scene she is a part of.
Derek Robert
Hull Bond's cinematography blends perfectly with Len Stanga's lighting to
conjure neon bathed interiors and shadowed hallways that instantly bring
memories of Bava and Argento to mind. Luke Zwelsky's score is the last
part of the trifecta; invoking tones that encapsulate eras gone by to create a
modern slasher mystery, while also setting the tone for some of the film's
comedic moments, and due to Moore's direction, everything works perfectly.
Debuting at
the Houston Horror Film Festival next month, and coming hopefully very soon to
digital streaming, Until You're Alone is not only one of Moore's
greatest achievements, it is one of the best films of the year. Blending
social commentary with blood infused madness, Moore and his talented cast and
crew have created something special that demands to be experienced.
--Kyle
Jonathan