PREVENGE (2017)

Written & Directed By: Alice Lowe 
Cinematography By: Ryan Eddelston 
Editor: Matteo Bini 


Cast: Alice Lowe, Katie Dicke, Gemma Whelan, Jo Hartley, Tom Davis, Kayvan Novak, Eileen Davies 


Alice Lowe who some might recognize from the tv series SHERLOCK and co-writing and starring in the dark comedy SIGHTSEERS. Makes a return to the screen with this film.

It's amazing that she was able to direct, write, act and film this movie within 11 days and in her third trimester of pregnancy. She thought up the premise for this movie when she was very pregnant, and no-one would hire her in any other roles. She wrote it in three and a half days. The low budget of the film is obvious but makes us cozy with the character and makes the film come off in a more kitchen sink type of reality. Not played up to be bigger in any sense.

The film is not exactly typical in any sense of the word. Again darkly comedic, As she goes about killing people mostly men at the behest of her unborn child who she is convinced is talking to her. While at first the victims are random as the movie goes along it shows us that might. It be the case. Which is inventive in how it is revealed.

What is fun about the film is that it isn't necessarily stylized and the killings aren't too gratuitous except for one that seems to go above and beyond but also seems to get there accidently rather than Planned.

She let's the audience see how these victims bury themselves or more doom themselves with where personalities and behavior as she seems to enjoy having conversations with them. Where they let their attitudes show for themselves why they might deserve to perish. At least during the first half of the film. During the second half some of the characters come off more as innocent victims than anything else.

What if fun about these scenes is that there is always some element during them that moves them far from being repetitive and injects some unexpected moments into the scenes. Even allowing for some sympathy in one particular case.

Alas I can't say I love the film because while there are some truly great ideas all around. The film still comes off a bit underwhelming for all that is introduced and played with.

The comedic moments are inspired but seem more accidental as most of the film seems more like a drama with horror and comedic elements. As the characters feel real and not just ideas or sketches. They actually seem lived in.

It's not a bad film. I believe most who discover it will like it. It just feels like cones up short in many different aspects.

The film isn't really ever enjoyable or fun as it wants to be awkward and make the audience feel uncomfortable as any time it heads in that direction it adds an element or action to shake it up and this the audience

 GRADE: C+