Writer-director Mico Montes’s debut feature is a workably creepy, fitfully absorbing horror effort that centres around a group therapy session run by squeaky-voiced shrink Dr Hedonia (Rachel Alig). One would think at least one of the good doctor’s patients would have wondered how their therapist came to have a surname that means pleasure in Greek, and why this might be. Sadly, none of these hapless souls, all of whom are seeking help for trauma, seem to have even a cursory acquaintance with classical languages.
That said, most of them do seem prone to a florid monologue style as they describe what’s brought them to the room. Lenny (Torrey B Lawrence), for instance, while talking about the fire that destroyed his house and all his possessions, waxes lyrical in the most violently violet prose style, incanting about “the night’s breach” how he was “perplexed by taunting thoughts” and so on. Does anyone actually talk like this?
This flowery register continues through to the next segment, narrated by Claire (Ariana Livingston) whose story involves an evil latex-clad dominatrix who tortured Claire’s husband, opening up an opportunity for some torture-porn gore. On it goes, as each patient tells their sorry, sometimes silly tale, although supporting player Christina Kroell makes a strong impression in the story narrated by cowardly Dev (Ryan Wayne), who was lured to his misfortune by the incongruous sound of a violin while hiking.
The last story in the portmanteau package is narrated by black-haired goth girl October (Gabrielle Salinger), who seems to have had a psychotic break after an attack by a stranger that creates problems for her friendship with new neighbour Heidi (Avery Norris, another good supporting turn). In the final minutes of the framing story back in the group therapy room, all the strands are unsurprisingly brought together. Montes and his crew pull off some well-timed scares thanks to sharp editing skills and atmospheric lighting but he would definitely benefit from learning a bit more about how to get the best from actors.
