Zach Cregger is at least a triple threat in this very threatening movie. And he draws you in using a child’s voice (Scarlett Scher )to narrate the story. He wrote, directed, produced and even composed music for this film about a classroom of kids, except one, Alex, that go mysteriously missing one night. The first person suspected of evil doing is their teacher, Justine Gandy (Julia Garner-The Assistant). And the frantic parents target her in all kinds of ways.
Cregger (Barbarian) structures the film following individual characters about the disappearance, a chapter at a time. Each chapter follows school counselor (Jason Turner), police officer Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), the school principal Marcus (Benedict Wong), Dad of one of missing kid Matt, Archer (Josh Brolin), and Alex (Cary Christopher) the only child not missing from that one classroom and a target for bullies.
The are worried sick parents, want some answers and attend a meeting with the school prinicipal. It becomes an emotional screaming match as accusations fly, especially toward teacher Justine whose car gets tagged with big red letters that spell WITCH. Garner plays it close to the vest but Miss Gandy is no Girl Scout. She’s got a taste for liquor and for married men as well. Garner lets loose.
Alex’s loving parents are at a loss for why Alex was the only one who didn’t run out of his house in the middle of the night like the other kids. They suddenly inform Alex that their estranged critically ill Aunt is coming to live with them for awhile. This is a strange turn of events, but we soon find out why.
Aunt Gladys has a frightening presence. She’s almost bald. The hair she has is clearly a dry, long red wig set back from her face. She has silky scarves, branches with thorns she twists in her hands, always smiling big, manipulating him to do her bidding. She is frightening, vile and icky. Madigan gleefully inhabits this character so well, she is getting award-worthy attention for her obnoxious characterization. And Aunt Gladys orchestrates a bloody, messy, horror-filled series of events well-directed by Cregger with help from Cinematographer Larkin Seiple (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and just the right music composed by Egger with Hays Holladay and Ryan Holladay.
When Aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) shows up, all kinds of scary happenings throw the community into chaos. Police officer with an eye out for ne’er do wells gets into a chase with sleazy druggie James (Austin Abrams). Archer gets physically involved when Justine gets into a fracus at the local gas station convenient store helping save her from being attacked. They start to question what is driving the chaos around them. Archer, is smart and uses his working construction, trying to map out where strange things have been happening.
Cregger’s film takes a disgustingly grisley turn with demented Aunt Gladys having fun casting horrific evil while everyone’s trying to find the kids. Garner, Brolin, but particularly Amy Madigan, weaponize their talent to keep you guessing to the end.
Warner Bros. 2 hours 8 minutes R
Related posts:
Knives Out Writer/Director Rian Johnson talks about having the whole cast on the set
Ford v Ferrari Stunt Coordinator, Robert Nagle
Interview with Waves stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Taylor Russell and Writer/Director Trey Edward Shults talking teen angst, family and sound design.
THE CAMPERS AT THE SUNDANCE PREMIERE OF CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THE FILM.
Peppermint
Eddie Redmayne and Tom Harper talk challenges making The Aeronauts
