With several films being inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic — like the heist film “Locked Down” or the under-seen road trip comedy “Stop and Go,” it’s about time that another strong horror film came out set around the concept, as the Shudder phenomenon “Host” came out in 2020.
Playing as part of the TIFF’s ‘Midnight Madness’ programme, John Hyams’ “Sick” can easily be added to the “fantastic” column. This pandemic slasher follows Parker (Gideon Adlon) and Miri (Bethlehem Million). They are friends who decide to quarantine together on spring break at Parker’s family lake house. As they enter the lake house, Parker tells Miri they’re two miles away from any neighbours, so they won’t have to worry about any germs flying their way. No neighbours is the perfect opportunity for the killer in the area.
An Interesting ‘Slasher Commentary’
The interesting part about “Sick” — in terms of “slasher commentary” — is how it shows bits of how humans started reacting to the pandemic, or just new information. As well, being a film set in the pandemic, it works as a time capsule. The way the writing utilizes it and uses that to its advantage is fantastic. This shouldn’t be a surprise with Kevin Williamson (“Scream”) writing the story and co-penning the screenplay with Katelyn Crabb.
Their approach to using the pandemic for laughs is effective, especially as a character wipes off groceries with anti-bacterial wipes. This is something I completely forgot about it until they showed it on-screen. And in true Kevin Williamson fashion, the opening is great. An anonymous texter messages Tyler (Joel Courtney) that he’d like to play a game, but only if he’s been tested for COVID. The combination of playing with a Ghostface-type MO with dialogue influenced by our current times is so inspired. As well, casting Courtney in the Drew Barrymore-type role is smart, as a star believable enough to help anchor the film, but only such a star that we only recognize him after he removes his mask.
Gideon Adlon and Bethlehem Million Have Great Chemistry
In terms of the film’s other performances, Gideon Adlon and Bethlehem Million (such a cool name) are a great pair. Their chemistry is strong and totally plausible that they might choose to quarantine together. They’re also perfectly fit as young adults who actually look like young adults, and young adults who could find themselves in a situation like this. As well, their different ways of looking at the pandemic in terms of their caution towards is a good foundation. We see Miri is the cautious one, and Harper the one who takes it a little less seriously. They also perform their stunts with fierceness and give their all to physical performances. Director John Hyams shoots this action with precision, and the gore and creativity in weapons is awesome.
As a film with a smaller cast and less people to actually slash, this slasher adopts the elements of a home invasion films. It’s features chase scenes and needs to find new aspects to introduce to the film to keep the run-time going. This screenplay has those, and they’re most importantly believable layers that keep everything advancing towards the reveal and killer’s motive. The killer is a memorable character, one donning an ever-so responsible face mask, now iconic in its own right.
As a film with only a few locations, the action and tension is solid when we’re contained to a house, with expert blocking from Hyams and strategic camera movement. The film also thrives when they’re out of the house, with a bigger playground. The chase scenes feel like the most inspired by home invasion films.
A Fun Film to Watch with a Packed Crowd
“Sick” is heavy in its tension. It’s not groundbreaking horror, but as it uses the pandemic as its framing device, it has a unique effect. After watching this at the ‘Midnight Madness’ screening and having to make my way back to my hotel, I was thinking to myself, “I want to be around people walking home, but I also don’t want to be around anyone.”
Then, I was approached by a gentleman needing to use a phone because his was dead. Or, later, when I was approached by another gentleman who was mugged and needed $20 to get to a taxi to a shelter, where he invited me to walk around a corner with him away from the only people nearby. For both scenarios, those are rules where Kevin Williamson would say, “If this is a horror movie, you’re already dead.”
“Sick” instills a sense that, while walking home alone at night, you want to be around people. There’s strength in numbers, but there’s also still some anxiety being around people. The film pokes fun at that and runs with it. And even though I still have some anxiety about being around too many people, “Sick” is an entertaining, worthy film to be watched with a packed crowd.
“Sick” is part of The Movie Buff’s continuous coverage of TIFF 2022. Follow us for more reviews this week.
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