Director: Riley Stearns.
Cast: Leland Orser, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jon Gries, Lance Reddick, Beth Grant.
Certificate: TBC.
Running Time: 89 minutes.
Synopsis: Expert on cults Ansel (Orser) is hired to
deprogramme a young woman (Winstead). He sets about an intense 5 day
session, but soon finds himself questioning exactly what is going on and
what is to be believed.
One of FrightFest’s more surprising slow burners is this dialogue
heavy exploration of the mind from first time director Riley Stearns.
Unlike many of the slasher/zombie/out and out horror films, FAULTS
relies on its fear coming from the audience’s involvement and its
ability to provoke thoughts. Approached by two parents, Ansel, a
disgraced expert of cults and mind manipulation, is hired to deprogramme
a young woman. The rest of the film takes place in a motel room as the
Ansel and the young woman Claire, discuss their beliefs and opinions on
life.
Orse captures a great range of pathetic dark humour and desperate
power, as a man looking to restore his reputation while also making
enough money to pay back his agent for helping self-publish a book. The
opening scene is a funny one in which Ansel tries to pass off an already
used coupon in the hopes of obtaining a free meal. His motivations at
first are all focused on the money, but he gradually builds a connection
with Claire and starts to feel as though perhaps aren’t as they seem.
When he displays power and tries to control situations, he often left
looking weaker than before, but Orser always retains a sense that power
and credibility was once part of Ansel’s character.
Winstead may very well be married to director Stearns, but she has
most definitely not been let off easy, and she is certainly perfect for
the part. Winstead is able to use her looks and those big eyes to
establish an innocence lost for her character, but whenever she turns
the tables she becomes a dominant force. In a single scene she
transforms from a weak girl in need of rescuing to a controlled and
intelligent adversary ready to challenge Ansel’s views.
A film focusing on the views and beliefs of two people may not sound
terrifying, but it’s a real skin crawling affair as we see how people
can become brainwashed by certain cults. You’ll find yourself agreeing
and following each character’s point of view at least once during the
course of the movie, and then realise exactly what you’re agreeing with.
It’s the true definition of a psychological horror, making you question
whether or not the world would be better if we all lived in these
non-materialistic cults.
The dialogue is both well written and excellently executed with each
word crafted and set-up the same way as in a choreographed martial arts
fight sequence. The motel rooms act as representation of the brain
wherein two ideals fight for dominance. Stearns allows for scenes to
play out with long takes, showing a great sense of comfort when dealing
with the material. This is by no means an easy watch, but it is one that
stays with you long after.
FAULTS will hopefully open doors for all involved, as well as showing
people that horror can often come from internal forces. With a dark wit
which often releases the tension, FAULTS is a quiet little gem of a
movie that gets louder the more you think about it.
(4 / 5)
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