Black Rock

*includes spoilers*

Coming from a fan of horror films that is yet to see one I find scary, it may seem strange that I typically find thrillers disturbing. Maybe it has to do with the fact that horror films are larger than life while thrillers are much more raw and tend to house the things real nightmares are made of.

That being said: there was something about Black Rock that while clearly a situation I’d never want to find myself in, was also grabbing and sympathetic. And I think that ‘something’ was relatable, flawed characters with histories. Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton have created a unique story of survival amidst friendship, redemption and the emotional scars of war that doesn't leave you cringing over the horror of the situation.    

The cinematography really took advantage of the beauty of the island while by stark contrast highlighting the isolation and feeling of being trapped with your greatest fears.

The original score was haunting and really set the emotional tone for the film.

Huge kudos to Katie Aselton on directing and starring in the film; brilliant job! Katie (Abby), Kate Bosworth (Sarah) and Lake Bell (Lou) made a wonderful team. Childhood friends torn apart by a drunken indiscretion come together under the guise of a holiday for two rather than three to recapture old memories. Katie really brought a raw depth to the hurting Abby whose life it would seem hasn't gone according to plan, and who despite her reservations over the trip, decides she just wants to let loose and prove she can live again. Kate was the perfect choice for Sarah; her beautiful spirit really suited the funny, full of life, would be mediator between her two best friends in a desire that they spend the weekend camping on the island they frequented as kids. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Lake brought a sensitivity to the role of Lou who deeply regrets her actions that led to the loss of her friendship with Abby and despite her seemingly tough exterior is just as vulnerable as everyone else. The most raw moment for me was when Sarah was shot down and the scene that followed. Abby and Lou had to run, they couldn't grieve in that moment all they could do was keep moving to survive. The moment when they sat huddled together for warmth after risking the freezing waters and Lou broke down while Abby remained eerily calm was by far the most emotionally tense moment of the film and was brilliantly portrayed. The actions of the girls also show what a person is willing and able to do under such circumstances. The whole kill or be killed mentality is a haunting one to consider and Katie and Lake really nailed those emotions. The journey between these girls from resentment and mediator to loss and rediscovering what made them all friends in the first place was wonderfully interweaved throughout the story of survival.

In direct counterpoint to the friendship of the three women, also on the island, are former military officers and best friends Henry (Will Bouvier), Derek (Jay Paulson) and Alex (Anslem Richardson) who are on a hunting expedition. These men have been through three tours together and like brothers would do anything for one another. Meeting up with the girls not long after their arrival on the island we learn that they went to school with Henry’s brother and an awkward evening on the beach drinking, reminiscing and flirting ensues. However when Henry is inadvertently killed by Abby trying to protect herself from his unwanted advances things quickly turn from bad to worse when Derek and Alex aim to seek revenge on the death of their friend and the girls become the hunted. All they had returning from their last tour eighteen days prior with dishonourable discharges was each other and suddenly they have lost a brother. Jay and Anslem do a haunting job of portraying the raw emotions of these two men, scarred by the acts of war, turning into single minded machines out to revenge one of their own.

All the elements of Black Rock seamlessly tie together to create a gripping thriller that will draw you into these characters’ plights.