It’s been a few weeks since you’ve all had to read my horror movie drivel boils and ghouls. But, with the calendar winding down and 2018 coming soon to a close, I figured I would go out guns blazing until the new year. So what better way to start closing out the year, then with a film that was released at the very beginning of the year on January 6th. This flick has completely flown under the radar all year. Until it flew into my horror crosshairs. So, let’s dive right in!
Loon (2017)
Synopsis
Taylor’s (Taylor Lennox) father unexpectedly passes away. In his father’s will Taylor inherits all of his land property, including a secluded little lake house in Montana. Soon after, Taylor and his new bride Ann (Maiah Wynne) decide that they want to honeymoon at the lake house for some much-needed rest and relaxation. But as the two begin to settle in, things are not as serene as they thought. There’s no one around. The forest is almost too quiet. Then they encounter an odd neighbor Chuck (Jeff Medley) that always seems to be carrying an ax around…
Loon is Struggle Bus Productions’ first full-length feature film and is written and directed by Andrew Bassett and Lilian Langston. Also first time filmmakers, these two crafted a really serene landscape, that descended into utter madness. Bassett also handled the work behind the camera and really brought the lake and forest to life with a beautiful stillness. Using the alluring Montana scenery to its fullest effect.
When you see a movie title like Loon, your mind automatically thinks of lunatic or an insane person. While there is some of that going on here, the film’s title actually alludes to the bird. Loons have three distinct calls. The wail, the tremolo and when there’s danger and a predator in their midst the yodel. (The loon is an incredibly vicious predator in its own right). So, I feel that the title Loon fits this film well. Throughout the film the different calls of the loon can be heard in the background, which I thought was a really creative way to drive the themes point home.
Loon is not your average horror fare. There’s not a whole lot going on for the first 30 minutes. But once you get past that mark, it’s a true slow burn thriller that consistently mounts and builds to a mostly unforeseen climax, that was both bizarre and brutally ghoulish. Aided by a hypnotically tense synth score from Jake Birch, the third act was an anxious and bloody thrill ride.
On the surface, it appears to be another bland stalker film. There is a lot more going on here. Tone, theme and music. The whole package. But sometimes boils and ghouls, words spill all over the page like blood through the veins. But honestly, I can’t say too much more about this flick. It’s one of those types of films you just have to see for yourself.
IMDb: 4.9/10 (only 30 votes)
ZombiSurvivor: 7.0/10
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Thanks for reading and STAY SCARED!
-ZS
