Director: Madeline Deering
Year: 2023
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Sharks
Plot:
Trying to get on their feet, a couple moves into an apartment complex and tries to make friends with the other tenants but when they notice they're disappearing with no alarm find that a killer demon shark has been summoned by a cult and living in the apartment forcing them to stop the creature's rampage.
Review:
For the most part, this was an incredibly fun shot-on-video throwback. That starts from the beginning where the film's over-the-top setup and storyline that's so crazy it can't possibly be taken seriously with how the couple times the apartment, meets the neighbors, and start living their lives which is interrupted by the demonic shark. Even moreso, though, than the story with the supernatural temptation that takes place of the creature drawing her into its web of influence, the presence of the hunter trying to save his son to no avail, and the mentality of the residents to look past their complaints in favor of playing video games that all help this feeling, it's also the fuzzy and hazy filter that is absolutely essential in giving the action featured a truly effective tone and feel of this movement.
That old-school feel is enhanced even more with the series of attacks featured here. Starting with the opening bathtub victim, the stalking of the hunter throughout the laundry room, or the massacre at the party which are all lengthy attack scenes while the bar ambush or the encounter with the plumber that are shorter scenes, this one comes off with plenty of action throughout to help keep the pace enjoyable. Going overboard with the wild finale featuring tons of gore, a cult sacrifice, battles with the shark puppet, and some wild confrontations that come about, this all managed to go for a truly proper throwback style of film. Sure, it's all cheap and cheesy which is unmistakable throughout here with the tone and overall approach but it should be obvious that's what is purposefully being done and shouldn't be held against it.
Overview: ****.5/5
A full-on shot-on-video throwback with quite a lot to like, this one is so upfront and effective about its intent that there's not much here to really knock it down. Any fan of the old-school shot-on-video scene or just appreciate this style of indie fare are well-advised to check this out while those that don't enjoy any of those factors should need caution.
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