The story utilizes some of the techniques that make for a successful horror tale: there are limited settings and a contained setting is used in the climax; there’s a sense of staking and a constant threat of harm; there’s solid suspense that intensifies; there are gruesome images, and deadly attacks.
The script features two very strong core characters. They are both highly disturbed and complex, making them compelling to watch. While neither Derek nor Alexia are the types of characters the audience emotionally roots for, the script, nevertheless, does …show more content…
He’s clearly established as being disturbed and lonely. The opening scene with Bill is a bit long, but it builds nice tension and it sets the tone for Derek’s obsession and his anger. There’s also good foreshadowing with the comic book images of Alexia cutting off Derek’s head and essentially slaying him.
As the story progresses, his obsession grows stronger. It’s captivating to watch him make his plans to abduct Alexia. The drowning of the rat is unsettling, but works for the film. The Krystal scene could be tenser.
The idea of Derek with the knife creates suspense and tension. One wonders if he’s going to stab her. However, consider tricking the audience. He puts the knife back, but then later when she teases him, maybe he does grab her and perhaps he strangles her. Maybe he stuffs the body in the basement (to pay off the basement) or he stuffs the body somewhere else.
The scene in which Derek tries to get Alexia to drink the beer is nicely crafted, creating effective suspense and tension. There’s a surprising twist and turn of events when Alexia stabs Derek. One doesn’t see this coming. The script is effectively …show more content…
The failed bomb is smart and it’s another clever payoff. The idea of her stabbing Derek through the heart (after “I love you”) is ironic and works well.
It’s not clear what happens to Alexia at the end. The final scene with the grandmother waking up like Sleeping Beauty is smart, although remember the audience can’t read the narrative descriptions about “sleeping beauty”. The end does feel like it needs something more regarding Alexia, before it transitions to the grandmother.
The characters are complex, crazy, and un-nerving. They have a range of emotion that should attract talent. They are clearly flawed, but the audience is still captivated by what will happen to them. Dark psychological issues drive them both. Derek feels like a loser and failure. One doesn’t know if his backstory is true or not, but that’s fine.
Derek’s is obsessive and clearly delusional. He doesn’t really undergo any major character arc, which is also fitting given the storyline.
It should be noted that his backstory about being beaten and being called a faggot is interesting, but it doesn’t elicit any strong rooting interest in him. It makes him a bit