NO TRAILER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
First, the Recap:
When is it too much to hope that those caught being faithless and untrue to one whom they originally committed to will change their wayward paths and understand that such contrary behavior has a price? When does the folly of indecent choices not only bring harm to the one once loved, but even more drastic measures to the offender? After all, isn’t it supposed to be “until death do us part”? True concern doesn’t seem to prevent successful businessman Stan (Lee Marshall) from seeking an outlet for his evident lack of feeling satisfied in marriage or otherwise with beautiful but underappreciated trophy wife Rona (Gracie Be), who has only come to the awareness that infidelity is in full session.
While Stan takes complete advantage of the seemingly unabashed lust and physical attraction he has towards his illicit partner Dean (Logan Vamosi), telling whatever lies he needs to in order to spend more time with him, it is quite apparent the two are connected and not ever wanting to part. But, as Rona comes to the total realization she’s lost her husband to another, the distress and sense of betrayal fades to anger, leading to a harsh and heartbreaking solution. Yet, unbeknownst to Stan or Dean, and even when unexplainable events begin to unfold, Rona’s fatal resolve has created a haunting and highly deadly presence that has but one goal–hunt down the false-hearted, draw them in, and exact undeniably permanent revenge.
Next, my Mind:
For writer/director/executive producer Robert Hensley, it was not just any narrative about one man’s marital disloyalty and deceit he wanted to convey, but take things one step further and infuse the legend of La Llorona into the proceedings as well, which turns this raw, graphic, and distinctly creepy 12-minute short film into one more than worth watching. Now, as many know that this reviewer’s personal preferences very much shy away from overtly candid/explicit sexual content of any sort, it was initially difficult to get past the one sequence early on of this nature, as it had to be one of the more extreme examples I’ve seen in a short film ever. But, once this was over, and the real gist of the story moves forward, there is zero doubt the potency of lessons about to be learned by those committing adulterous acts will soon, and quite deservedly, arrive while also experiencing the crippling and heartrending sorrow felt by one woman whose devastating alternative to confronting her straying spouse paves the way for a much darker manifestation of said rage and despair that wages an unrelenting war against anyone unlucky enough to be involved with the situation at hand.
One of the best overall qualities of the film is found in its brevity, allowing for the viewer to maintain their engagement with the themes being explored while still being wholly entertained and successfully drawn into a state of building anxiety that all culminates in a finale whose literal final moment had hair-raising chills running through my entire being, which to me is the mark of truly well-done horror. There is a crisp visual delivery and well magnified sound quality throughout as well, which again seriously aids in that aforementioned closing moment, among others as well, which subsequently puts such a effective emphasis on the intent of the film’s story. Honestly, when are people going to get in through their heads cheating is just not smart and never seems to end up working out well for anyone?? Maybe that’s why below the surface, this film could actually be considered a cautionary tale rather than just your average horror offering. Take away the supernatural element and you’re still left with the truths of how much pain is caused by one person to another in this scenario, a point that is also briefly realized in the narrative’s execution.
Marshall does a fantastic job in his portrayal of Stan, a picture of worldly success, a man who has it all, and yet isn’t satisfied to leave it as such and be thankful for what he has claimed in life, choosing instead to put it all in danger by having a torrid affair, much less with another man. His smug, power-loving personality and need to dominate is evident on multiple levels, all while proving he is more than a shallow, self-indulgent cad who ultimately seems to only use people. Things become much more real however once he actually has cause to think about exactly what he’s doing and who he is hurting, but at this point, it’s too late, a victim of his own wanton hubris. Marshall very much makes this all believable and a character to love to hate. Vamosi lends a more vulnerable yet equally impassioned quality to the character of Dean, the man partially responsible for Stan’s indiscretions, and who is utterly in love with his newfound lover to boot. Yet, even as he longs to know that Stan will be ideally be his, he becomes the first to start encountering the initial uncanny instances that herald a less-than-desirable end for him, even as he makes every attempt to keep Stan in his life. What makes the character different from Stan, however, is that despite his own “contributions” to breaking apart a home and marriage, one cannot help but feel sorry for him at the same time, almost seeing him as a victim of sorts as well of Stan’s callous heart and actions. Vamosi embodies all these varying emotional currents very well.
But, we then come to the ultimate focal point of the entire venture through the wonderfully affecting/menacing performance put forth by Be as Rona, Stan’s arm-candy wife who we can tell actually loves her husband and desires nothing but a happy union and fulfilled life with him. Discovering that all has not been what it seems, no amount of success or tangible wealth she gets to claim because of him can assuage the deep hurt that shakes her to her soul, causing her to react in rash desperation and hopelessness. Yet, in doing so, it then initiates an entirely new and horrific transformation that brings on a shadowy, sinister purpose which is enacted with a frightening level of calculation and implementation that more than proves no escape is possible from this vengeful entity. From doe-eyed innocence to monstrous new actuality, Be just nails the nuances of the character with a totally apropos mix of emotional frailty and ominous intensity. The primary supporting turn here comes via Danielle Inks as Dean’s friend and confidant Wendy who also gets a taste of the consequences of another woman scorned. In total, despite the sequence indicated above I could have done without, “Homewrecker” is a well-conceived indie short film effort that astutely mixes terrifying legend with a grounded, real-world, albeit oft-presented, thematic concept that will, or should, leave you in a disquieted state of mind by the end and certainly think twice about causing grief to a woman…like…ever.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
