FANTASIA 2020: For the Sake of Vicious
fantasiaDirecting duo Reese Eveneshen and Gabriel Carrer's For the Sake of Vicious lives up to its namesake tenfold in a feature that is full to the brim of action horror and claustrophobic tension.
The duo's feature is undeniably built on intimacy. Aside from a very brief prologue, For the Sake of Vicious, takes place in one central intimate setting of Lora Burke's character's kitchen and, for the most part, succeeds in its limitation. Said limitation never actually feels such throughout the film, while the character depth is here and arcs are present, its the tension and atmosphere that keeps the audience on their toes.
The production design is relatively strong. Corridors are tight and fighting erupts in small spaces such as bathrooms, ultimately heightening the tension with wonderfully sufficient results due to the film's no holds barred approach of destructive action. Nobody is safe here, and the unchoreographed action set pieces only add to the horror intentions and organic nature of this subverted home invasion take.
fantasiaHowever, regarding the feature performances, Burke puts forward a decent performance and encapsulates the frantic nature of this story with significant effect. Her character, arguably, has little depth presented but, when considering the previous point, feels like a natural mirroring character for the eyes and ears of the audience. Nick Smyth as Chris is the character afforded the greatest depth and results in a performance that is allowed to travel and develop over time. Smyth's character has a whole host of baggage and backstory that brews to a boiling point of destructive nature. Put forward in a lingering but effective degree by the actor.
An added 1980s aesthetic from Alex Tong with a similarly themed soundtrack and score, from director Carrer and Foxgrndr, add an excellent layer of weight and intrigue to this intense, intimately produced thriller – For the Sake of Vicious.
