This Southbound Journey has Only One Stop - Hell: A Film Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by Orchard TV.

**there is one spoiler after the review.

Directors: Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, Patrick Horvath and Radio Silence.

Writers: Roxanne Benjamin, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David Bruckner, Susan Burke, Dallas Richard Hallam and Patrick Horvath.

Cast: Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Hannah Marks, Tipper Newton, Brad Miska and Kristina Pesic.

Southbound is an indie horror anthology film, from four directors. Patrick Horvath, of The Signal (2007) fame, brings one of four stories. Though, an initial viewing would make the film appear as if it is five short films; the circular ending brings the film back upon itself. Southbound also brings an inconsistent morality to the screen as one good character finds escape, while another does not. The film also keeps its characters' histories and motivations hidden. This makes an interpretation of the plot difficult. But, the writers do agree on a trapped theme. Southbound is a complex feature which will keep most viewers glued to their seat.

The anthology begins with "The Way Out and The Way In." Three more are quickly on there way. In this short two friends are chased by grim reaper like ghasts. Jack (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin) and Mitch (Chad Villella) cannot escape as all roads lead back to an isolated diner. This short transitions nicely into "Siren." Three girls are trapped on the side of the road. One of the worst-case hitchhiking scenarios takes place, shortly after. "The Accident" was this horror fan's favourite. A driver is given a rush course in surgery, after hitting a girl on a deserted highway. Blood soaks the screen, while laughter mocks this waylaid surgeon. Finally, "Jailbreak" offers a trip into a strange tattoo parlour. One brother's rescue attempt turns deadly and "The Way Out and The Way In" starts at an earlier part, just after. All of these short films are connected with a singular theme and a desert setting.

Lucas is mostly on his own in "Accident."

The film's morality can be a bit confusing. That unfortunate surgeon, Lucas (Mather Zickel), is tasked with saving a girl's life. He does his best, with some mocking encouragement on the phone. But, some lives cannot be saved. Then, the voices say that he is allowed to move on: "you can go." He is one of the only characters to escape this deserted landscape, alive. In "The Way Out and the The Way In," a young girl tries to defend her parents, from masked killers. She does not appear guilty of any crimes. Still, she loses her life at the hands of three murderers. Why does one good character get to live and another deserve to die? The film does not have an answer for you.

The story can be a bit of mirage, at times. It resists a conventional plot structure. Instead of developing characters, this desert set world is focused upon. How many back alley bars and uninhabited hospitals are there? Characters also keep their motivations mostly hidden. But, this world, in which there is no escape, is similar to hell. The tattoo artist talks about killing her parents and then, "I love it here." Only a murderer would love this tortuous down below. The film will also steal a solid, closed ending away from you. But, it also transitions well across the shorts, often with recurring characters. Because of its hazy characters, Southbound will deny viewers plot dissection and a comfortable feeling.

The film does offer a meta-level. The word "trap" appears above one tavern. Earlier, that one-time surgeon is trapped behind a windowed door; he screams for escape. As well, Jack and Mitch drive endlessly around that diner. This world is keeping them in this deserted, confining small space. As further evidence of the trap theme, Mitch runs around a house, in circles. He is trying to reach his daughter, but she is consistently out of reach. All of the characters are trapped in this world, with most being tormented. Are viewers meant to feel trapped too? Or, is this simply a short visit to hell?

Southbound was just released through video-on-demand this week (Feb. 12) and this horror anthology hosts a bloody good time. Its moral message is a bit elusive and the film resists interpretation. Still, there is a message in all of those Satanic cheers. A theme of being trapped reappears and the movie's actual setting is likely hell. And, horror fans can take this short trip to hell now! Just don't get attached to any of the characters.

Overall: 7 out of 10.

The first seven minutes of the film are available here: The First Seven Minutes of Southbound on 28DLA

*this is a spoiler: when Mitch shows the picture of his daughter to the husband (in the final few scenes), it is apparent that he is taking revenge for her kidnapping and likely murder. This is an Old Testament - eye for an eye type of morality.

Recommended release: V/H/S at Amazon


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