The Drownsman Brings Monsters to Light: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Black Fawn Films.

Director: Chad Archibald.

Writers: Chad Archibald and Cody Calahan.

Cast: Michelle Mylett, Caroline Korycki, Gemma Bird Matheson, Sydney Kondruss, Clare Bastable and Ry Barrett.

Canadian based production company Black Fawn Films is know for developing quality horror film fare. They have completed films such as If a Tree Falls (2010), Neverlost (2010) and recently, the zombie thriller Antisocial (2012). Developed by Chad Archibald (Desperate Souls) and Ry Barrett (The Demolisher), Black Fawn Films offers another solid horror entry, with their title The Drownsman. The Drownsman is an atmospheric film. Appropriately darkly lit, this horror title offers an interesting storyline of a woman haunted by a mysterious beast; Madison's (Michelle Mylett) journey through redemption will reveal a few familial secrets. Heavily influenced by Wes Craven's early films, The Drownsman is one Canadian horror title which should not be missed.

The film begins and stays with the character Madison. Madison is tormented by visions of a creature, who drowns his female victims in tubs of ice cold water. These visions come through nightmares or bouts of unconsciousness, with the Drownsman (Ry Barrett) lurking just on the periphery. The protagonist finds support from a group of girlfriends; but, these minor characters are faced with their own tragedies as the Drownsman stalks everyone onscreen. A late reveal creates for a monstrous family situation, which is not unlike the Sawyer family (murderous), from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973). Though, blood is not thicker than water in The Drownsman.

Many scenes of splashing or dripping water.

This viewer enjoyed the film's good use of atmosphere and lighting. The film begins with lighter moments. For instance, one character appears in a bright white wedding dress, during an interior shot. An intervention, in an early scene, is also well lit and bright. However, these lighter scenes begin to fade into the background as Madison faces the film's villain. Now, darkness is dominant. Blood reds and shadows inhabit the film landscape, with Madison delving deeper in the Drownsman's lair. Hidden in dark light, the creature is almost invisible, until the heroine utilizes flares to lighten the screen. This subtle transition from bright light to darkness is symbolic of the protagonist's journey into her own personal nightmares and possibly her subconscious.

Long time horror fans will see the influences of Wes Craven's work in this title. The homages are not subtle. Craven's most horrifying work, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), can be seen strongly in Archibald's latest work. As an example, the character Lauren (Sydney Kondruss) is sucked into a piece of watery furniture. This scene is heavily reminiscent of Glen's (Johnny Depp) death in this 1984 movie. Glen is sucked into a vortex, found in the middle of a bed. Both characters die a painful death, while dissolving in frame. As well, the use of dark basements and settings in The Drownsman is similar to the settings in Craven's People Under the Stairs (1991). Both films spend a lot of time in underground, dank environments, from which escape is not easily found. Finally, villains in The Drownsman and A Nightmare on Elm Street are susceptible to fire. Both the Drownsman and Krueger have weaknesses, which are utilized by the protagonists. Craven's influences are many in The Drownsman and Archibald even makes note of this famous director's famous works through a small set piece.

The story, from writers Chad Archibald and Cody Calahan, is well developed and paced; the character arc is also appreciated. Scenes are terse and very little time is wasted developing the major plotline. Each scene is drawing Madison closer to a finale with the Drownsman. Characters are well set up, through flashbacks and dialogue sequences. The hydrophobia intervention brings all of the characters together in several scenes. Though, characters in horror never seem to stick together. Also, Madison's character arc involves hydrophobia and facing fear. This character transforms over the course of the film. More character angles and complexity are developed as Maddy learns of her childhood. Maddy's childhood is one that will have to revisited, if she wants to be free of her current torment. The minor characters are not as round as Madison, but this is for a blood-curdling reason. Minor characters do not last long in horror. Most of the characters are intriguing and the storyline is well focused.

This title will have its World Premiere in Montreal at the Fantasia Film Festival and this viewer hopes that horror fans will support the debut. The Drownsman is a consistently compelling horror outing, which is heavily influenced by Craven's films of the past. Well paced and very atmospheric, The Drownsman offers a lot of energy and conflict, in a short eighty minutes.

Overall: 7.75 out of 10 (the final confrontation between pro' and ant' is over too quickly, story lines take place on both physical and supernatural planes, actress Michelle Mylett is developing into a Canadian scream queen).

A trailer for the film is featured here on 28DLA:

The Drownsman Trailer on 28DLA

More details on the World Premiere for The Drownsman can be found here:

The Drownsman at Gat Publicity


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Posted in: 2014,canada,canadian,canadian movie,chad archibald,film,horror,horror movie preview,independent,indie,movie,movie review,review,ry barrett,supernatural