We have all skilled being consumed by one thing, whether or not it was an obsession or an unavoidable state of affairs. Consumed, directed by Mitchell Altieri, tackles this theme in a easy means.
The script, written by David Calbert, focuses on characters grappling with trauma and the problem of transferring ahead, all set towards the backdrop of a monster film within the woods. Whereas the movie has an fascinating premise, it falls brief in creating sufficient suspense or thriller to maintain the story.
What ‘Consumed’ is about
Jay (Mark Famiglietti) and Beth (Courtney Halverson) have fun Beth’s first 12 months cancer-free by reliving their early reminiscences of mountain climbing and tenting collectively. Beth, nonetheless weak from her therapies, insists on persevering with the journey, regardless that she is just not as sturdy as she as soon as was.
The couple have their share of petty arguments, however Beth hides her fears behind a smile. At evening, nonetheless, she has nightmares about claws tearing open her breast, the place medical doctors as soon as eliminated most cancers.
The state of affairs worsens after they discover their tent destroyed and coated in an odd, slimy substance. Of their try to flee, Jay steps right into a bear lure, which leads them to fulfill Quinn (Devon Sawa), a reclusive hunter. Quinn is obsessive about discovering and killing a creature that murdered his daughter.
Themes of emotional paralysis
The title Consumed displays the emotional struggles of the characters. Beth is haunted by the worry of her most cancers returning, whereas Jay desires to rekindle their relationship again to its early days.
Quinn, however, is pushed by a thirst for revenge towards the creature that took his daughter’s life. This obsession consumes him and drives him into isolation, decided to destroy the monster.
Calbert writes immediately to precise these emotional struggles. Quinn tells Beth that the creature preys on people who find themselves weak or close to demise. Whereas this simple method to storytelling works, it additionally takes away a number of the pressure. The story feels too linear, and the eventual reveal of the creature, a Wendigo, is disappointing.
Performances assist floor the movie
Regardless of its shortcomings, Consumed is carried by strong performances. Famiglietti and Halverson do job portraying a pair dealing with challenges. Jay tries to cheer Beth up, however his efforts are met with frustration. The dynamic adjustments when Quinn enters the story.
Sawa performs Quinn with a grittiness that provides intrigue, making viewers query his motives. Quinn is extra desirous about serving to Beth than addressing Jay’s damage, which raises suspicions.
The dialogue between the characters turns into extra fascinating as Quinn reveals extra concerning the creature. These moments pull the viewers again into the story, however the pressure disappears as Quinn’s true intentions are revealed. The remainder of the plot turns into predictable and follows a well-trodden path.
A disappointing Wendigo horror
The horror components in Consumed aren’t as efficient as they could possibly be. Altieri’s interpretation of Wendigo lore does not come into play till the latter a part of the movie, which lessens its affect. There are just a few disturbing scenes, equivalent to when Beth stumbles upon the Wendigo’s lair and sees flesh masks hanging from rocks.
The Wendigo itself, nonetheless, is normally proven as a hazy, glowing storm cloud, which weakens the general impact. Sensible results are used within the remaining confrontation, however even these are troublesome to see clearly.
The movie has moments of grotesque horror, equivalent to when the Wendigo’s fingers dig into Beth’s surgical wound, however these scenes are few and much between. The movie’s budgetary limitations are obvious, and the creature’s design fails to make a long-lasting impression.
Consumed makes an attempt to steadiness human drama with supernatural horror, however by no means fairly succeeds. The movie touches on deeper themes, equivalent to Beth’s wrestle to outlive as a metaphor for her battle with most cancers, however these concepts are by no means totally developed.
The movie’s weak particular results and predictable script finally forestall it from reaching its potential. Clocking in at slightly below 90 minutes, the movie feels too drawn out and lacks the suspense wanted to maintain viewers on the sting of their seats.
For these hoping for a memorable Wendigo story, Consumed falls brief. The movie is now obtainable to stream on VOD within the US, however it might not go away a long-lasting impression on viewers.
