Hounds of Love - 7/10
On the face of it, another in a long line of serial killer thrillers, but what pushes this one above average is the quality of performances first time director Ben Young extracts from his cast and his keen eye for composition. Like Jonathan Glazer, Young cut his teeth making music videos and that sense of style carries over into his debut feature. The film opens with an arresting combination of tracking shot and super slo mo - an unusual effect that he puts to good use a couple more times - which sets the tone. The shot is of a netball court and the young girls on court look almost exhibit-like as the camera pans unnervingly across them, finally revealing a couple watching them intently from their car, obviously up to no good! You don't get to see their faces at this point, but by the end, you'll be all too familiar with them...
Unlike other films in this sub-genre, like
Pet or
Curve, for instance, the scenario that unfolds rarely pushes the bounds of credibility. A lot of the violence happens off camera and the film relies on atmosphere and engagement with the characters rather than shock factor to keep the viewer hooked. It also moves at a brisk pace, never allowing your mind to wander too far from the here and now. Ashleigh Cummings is convincing in the role of the kidnapped girl and Stephen Curry does a good job of portraying a flat track bully - a man whose pitiful sense of self-worth is derived from victimizing those weaker than himself. But it's Emily Booth who steals the show, as the conflicted and deeply repressed Evelyn, torn between animal aggression, misplaced loyalty, and latent maternal instincts.
While the film touches on issues of gender politics and dangerously dysfunctional relationships, it never really amounts to more than a solid genre flick. It's difficult to find fault, especially for a first feature, but equally not something I can imagine wanting to revisit any time soon, being somewhat linear and lacking depth as it is. I wasn't overly enamoured with the ending either - it was a bit contrived, where the rest of the movie was well-paced and believable - and the choice of music to accompany the cathartic finale felt too obvious and self-aggrandizing in some way (great song though it is.) Saying that, there is one scene within the ending sequence that worked very well. No spoilers though; I'll give this one a guarded thumbs up to fans of the horror / thriller genre.
