Monday, February 20, 2012
Edohotep
Cast: Amy Noble, Emma Griffiths Malin, Reuben-Henry Biggs, and George Maguire
Spiderhole might as well be pigeonholing itself in a genre of torture porn. Just how many viewers can really emphasize with the gang of four mates? Molly (Emma Griffiths Malin), Zoe (Amy Noble), Toby (George Maguire), and Luke (Reuben-Henry Biggs) think squatting is an exciting adventure. And not enough time is spent developing the reasons on why they decided to be homeless. Their need for independence from family is mentioned and that already signals their downfall.
When they can’t be bothered to ask for familial help, at least they have a closeness between one another. But even between four people, they should have an income so they can afford a cheap room. At last during the day, that can be shared amongst themselves.
Even with an ominous intro, where a girl awakes to a decrepit moth-riidden room, laden with spiderwebs the tone gets re-explored after these young adults find an abandoned flat to stay in. Oddly enough, the building they quickly inspect is nearly devoid of spiderwebs. They should have looked deeper.
The camera-work is stylish and the development of how independent these friends are with one another is observed. But is that enough to save this film? The suspense certainly works as the group gets whittled down one-by-one. But when they lack all the tools to communicate with the outside world, maybe they should have considered keeping a person awake when they first entered the building. They could have rotated shifts until they know the building is indeed safe and devoid of other squatters.
There is a vague mystery to engage some viewers if they are attentive enough. The subplot of a missing person’s case is mentioned and from time to time, an additional detail is given out. But as for how important that is it’s one that is glossed over by these young adults. Viewers who pick up on this at least have a story to follow.
If this movie is to deliver any message, there really isn’t one. By the time this film reaches the deeper tale about a mysterious man who simply jumps out of hiding to snatch each young adult up, the meaning of Spiderhole does become clear. He leaps out to capture his prey one-by-one, and pulls him or her in. Most of the gore happens off camera and that’s disappointing. To figure out what he’s about is very interpretive, but to reach that point in the film means labouring through the rest of the narrative. Without a clear explanation of anyone’s motives, this film might as well be a miss.
Overall: 4.5 out of 10.
Another review of this title on 28DLA:
Spiderhole Reviewed (Michael Allen)
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