This Chemical Peel is Too Caustic: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by the filmmakers.

**there are minor spoilers here.

Director: Hank Braxtan.

Writers: Dan Sinclair, Hank Braxtan, Arielle Brachfeld, and Natalie Victoria.

Cast: Natalie Victoria, Arielle Brachfeld, Stephanie Greco and Lacy Fisher.

Chemical Peel is a smallish horror feature. This title was released earlier in the year (Oct. 14th, 2014), through Lions Gate Entertainment. A film about a toxic chemical spill, Chemical Peel spends most of its ninety-five minute runtime with bickering characters. Several so-called friends, at a bachelorette party, are more toxic than the mist outside. Shot almost entirely inside one location, the film is an exercise in what not to do in a catastrophe. Characters act in cowardly and idiotic ways, which makes Chemical Peel a difficult watch.

A group of girls gather for a night of drinking and celebrating. Fifteen minutes into the story, it is finally revealed that the girls have come together for Angela's (Arielle Brachfeld) bachelorette party. With Angela's vile attitude and unfriendly demeanour, it is a surprise that she has any friends at all. Still, Rae (Natalie Victoria), Jordin (Stephanie Greco) and a couple of other girls put on a brave face and drink the night away. They ignore an explosion outside, until a smoky mist crawls up to the door. Now, girl turns against girl in a battle to see who can die first, or the bloodiest. There are no real winners here, including the viewer.

There are no heroes here.

A lot of idiocy occurs in Chemical Peel. None of the characters seem to have any idea on how to survive in a disaster. This viewer was wondering if they wanted to survive at all. For instance, a possible rescuer is introduced into the mix. One character mishandles a rifle and this potential rescuer is outroduced, by an errant shot. If you do not know how to handle a rifle, then you should just put it down. In another scene, it is revealed that the toxic chemicals react with water. So, what does one character do? She takes a shower; the results are gore-filled. It is amazing to think that any of these characters survived into adulthood.

Technically, the film is shot well. Director Hank Braxton does a good job of filming all of the interaction. Most of the shooting consists of tight shots as the film is mostly filmed within a small cabin. This close shooting helps capture some of the excellent make-up effects. Still, Chemical Peel could have utilized a few more medium shots, to break up the tedium and repetitive interior shooting. Sometimes, catastrophes can appear more broad, if they also take place outside. As well, a couple of scenes utilize ADR. But, much of the technical aspects are well done.

It is the cowardly characters who diminish the film's impact. There are no heroes in Chemical Peel. Instead, the film relies on infighting to create inauthentic conflict. The conflicts, often initiated by Angela, come across as forced. And, when there is an opportunity to rise up to a challenge, the female characters implode. The one courageous act in the film involves Kimberly (Leigh Davis) securing an air conditioning unit, to prevent the toxic air from coming into the cabin. Her reward is being locked outside in the toxic air, by Angela. More cowardice comes along when Angela leaves her supposed friend, Rae, to die in a basement. She does not even close a door, to prevent the poisonous fumes from incapacitating Rae, further. Even the protagonist does not behave in a very heroic way, unless she is trying to save herself. There is no one to root for in this horror outing.

Chemical Peel is a very average film. The production is brought together well. But, the storytelling falters. The central McGuffin is an intriguing one. It is just too bad that the team of scriptwriters could not develop even one compelling or virtuous character. Almost all of the people onscreen behave in despicable ways and the film begins to grind on the nerves, with so much inane dialogue and faux conflicts. Fans of horror could bypass this feature and feel secure in knowing that Chemical Peel offers only toxic characters and very little else.

Overall: 6 out of 10 (everyone turns on everyone else which is the last thing you want to do in a disaster, a final scene offers one of the only surprises in the film, very mediocre overall).

A trailer for this film was released in early 2013 and it can be found here:

A Chemical Peel Trailer on 28DLA


Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2014,characterizations,characters,disaster,horror movie review,independent,indie,make up,movie,movie review,plot,review,science fiction movie review,story,synopsis