WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Coming home. It’s supposed to be a joyous occasion, returning to those we love, to friends we haven’t bonded with in years, to reconnecting with family and taking in familiar sights and sounds we recall from days past. Yes, coming back is true bliss–isn’t it? For art student Marla Singer (Maya Schenk), it is with mourning and melancholy that she arrives at her recently deceased parent’s home, quiet and empty, to prepare for it to be sold. With the burden of loss on her heart and mind, the only initial comforts are found in speaking with her friend Barbara (Eleanor Buechler) or phone conversations with the home’s former caretaker, Emma (voiced by Margot Godros).
Finally convinced she needs to let loose, Marla hosts a party with friends, though one, a wild card named Jean (Jean-Noel Molinier), decides to offer everyone in attendance a trendy designer drug for kicks. Hesitant to try, Marla finally succumbs to ingesting the small white pill. What transpires from there becomes a nightmare of eerie visions, unnerving encounters, and the random appearances of a ghostly young girl (Carolina Schenk). Whether revelations occur inside or outside her home, Marla begins to realize there’s something watching, waiting, looking for her to discover a terrible truth she can no longer hide within a camouflage of denial. Turning to ex-boyfriend Eric (Thomas Koch) for any semblance of sanity or reality, Marla soon learns it might not just be dark forces she’s trying to escape from.
Next, my Mind:
With a slow burn first act that effectively builds and builds the tension, suspense, and creepiness factors as it ramps up into the even more intense and frightening second act, this debut feature film effort from Germany-based writer/director/co-producer Daniel P. Schenk most certainly delivers the goods and then some, with a finale that will punch you in the face without apology. That was this reviewer’s experience at least while also enjoying solid writing and beautifully clear and precise cinematography that embraces its scenes with edgy intent, even when there’s nothing going on in the moment per se, it still engages and intrigues, making you try to anticipate what’s about to occur next. Nighttime becomes a character in itself as well, and the sequences happening during the sleeping hours are done very well, initiating the sense of nervous fear and mystery envisioned. It’s psychological terror done the way it’s meant to be.
Actress Maya Schenk’s performance here is excellent as she navigates the twisting road of mental and physical trials her character is subjected to as the narrative progresses, especially having to endure such extremes in state of being. Realistically bringing to life someone whose complete and utter repudiation of her circumstances only makes the ordeal deepen and the experiences within it more visceral and tormenting, Schenk wades through it with poise and strongly portrayed emotion. As mentioned prior, it is the slow increase in Marla’s agitation, restlessness, and unstable demeanor that makes this so impactful. Solid supporting turns are provided to key roles/characters by Buechler as a best friend who may not actually be that, Molinier as the overly enthused party-goer whose actions seem to start Marla’s misery, Koch as a former boyfriend whose support is reluctant, Carolina Schenk as an unnatural presence throughout, and the suitably calming yet unsettling voice of Godros as the voice of reason for Marla.
Overall, “Beyond The Bridge” is an enigmatic, haunting, character-driven slice of psycho-terror/supernatural drama that marks a very impressive first outing for Schenk and Co. Should they choose to continue on this path, it is safe to say there’s a new genre star entering the indie film arena with passion, heart, and skill.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
