FEAR, INC (2016)

Directed By: Vincent Masciale 
Written By: Luke Barnett 
Cinematography By: Shan Liljestrand 
Editor: Angela Trivino 

Cast: Lucas Neff, Chris Marquette, Abigail Breslin, Richard Riehle, Leslie Jordan, Patrick Renna, Mark Moses, Caitlin Stasey, Stephanie Drake, Naomi Grossman, David Ury, Marlon Young, Ronnie Gene Blevins 

Fear, Inc. follows a company of degenerates who can be hired for a premium to bring your greatest fears to life. But when horror junkie Joe Foster's customized scare seemingly begins, he and his friends must decide if this company is there to scare them or make them pawns in their own sick game.



Based on a short film, also called Fear Inc, from the same writer and director. Which it should have stayed. As while it works stretched out as a feature. It feels like stretching as half the time we watch and wait as nothing seems to happen. Suspense is supposed to be building but seems more like yelling and hiding. That eventually prove to be ineffective.

The movie starts off well in it’s opening scene establish some humor and thrills. If the movie could have only kept that going.

As the rest of the film starts off comedic with a character who is a horror buff but also lazy and unemployed who seems Unmotivated while his girlfriend works and pays the bills. We are introduced to his horror knowledge as he takes her to a horror themed restaurant and where he is introduced to a character from the company. Which supposedly gives you a horror adventure.

Now as soon as his friends from out of town are introduced the movie becomes annoying as the lead character is so unlikeable. That it is hard to believe his girlfriend truly hopes he will propose and we further learn he is kind of a drug addict. An addition to the movie and character that could have been something more. Especially as it would help explain at time whether he could believe it or not what was real and what might be part fantasy.

The movie clearly shows it's inspirations as character refer to the movie THE GAME repeatedly and explain the plot of that much better film. Which this Film tries to copy as well as various other horror movies.

Only it does so obviously and badly. That they play not only like parody but badly directed one’s as this film is never thrilling or scary. It seems more like things just happen and you go with it.

The movie gets more interesting as it goes along where it finally does make you question what is real and what is fake. Though the whole movie feels like a extended episode of an anthology. Which of course could have made it's point without being stretched so long.

The film has a bunch of energy and some good ideas variously but ultimately comes off as disappointing and only affective in it's ending. Which is where the film generally shocks and seems to be what the film is all about, but getting there is quite the ride. Not necessarily the most entertaining one.

It seems like the beginning Is the only time we get to know the lead character and considering how unlikeable he can be the film could have gotten to the story faster. As it doesn't help that the lead and the actress playing his girlfriend have no chemistry but also their characters being together is unbelievable except in a she is so good looking and successful you never would believe her to be so desperate.

The film starts off well but the problem soon becomes it feels like we are following follies and being caught up in a plot and really don’t care about the characters. As they haven’t earned our trust or concern so after a while it feels more like we are watching hijinks and not a horror themed comedy. It doesn’t feel strongly enough directed or like it has made enough strong choices for the most part.

It just seems for a film trying to be so inspired it is derivative and seems almost proud of it. As it isn't even really an homage. Which is why the third act in particular doesn't ring true except when it comes to the end.


Grade: C-