A Stormy Tale of Love and Poison

Read Time:3 Minute, 42 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Laced
–

Genre: Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Kyle Butenhoff
Writer(s): Kyle Butenhoff
Cast: Dana Mackin, Hermione Lynch, Zach Tinker, Kyle Butenhoff, Mel Fair, Joe Chambrello
Where To Watch: releasing on VOD/Digital on January 12, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: LACED, Kyle Butenhoff's directorial debut, whisks viewers away to an isolated cabin amidst a blizzard, setting the stage for a drama that explores deep into the heart of a troubled marriage. Dana Mackin, as Molly, delivers a performance filled with complexity and depth, portraying a woman on the brink, driven to desperate measures. Butenhoff embodies Charlie, Molly’s husband, offering an unknown sense of darkness. The arrival of Molly's brother, Austin, a role portrayed by Zach Tinker, adds unexpected depth and intrigue to the plot with a twist that changes everything.

In LACED, the cabin becomes a character in its own right. It embodies the confinement and entrapment Molly feels in her marriage, a sentiment reflected in Butenhoff's direction. The film's tense atmosphere mirrors the storm outside and within the characters' lives. Somehow, the already confined spaces of the cabin during the storm become increasingly claustrophobic as the story plays out.

Mackin's portrayal of Molly combines vulnerability and unwavering strength. She draws us into her character's turbulent emotional landscape, making us feel every bit of her desperate plight. Butenhoff, as Charlie, offers a solid performance, although I wish there had been more to him; adding a more profound character arc would have made the emotional pull even more potent.

Tinker, as Austin, brings a much-needed touch of calm and empathy to the film, brilliantly contrasting the story's darker elements. His performance grounds his character's struggles, making them resonate with the audience while not removing the more important message throughout the film.

The relationship between Molly and Victoria, played by Hermione Lynch, introduces a complex dynamic marked by more profound struggles, significantly enriching the storyline. Lynch's portrayal, while assertive, leaves us with more questions than answers. Although to the credit of the film, I’ve continued to think about these deeper motives from the moment I finished the movie.

The film explores themes of authenticity in life's darkest moments, portraying real life and the questions that most face eventually. Molly's journey to find her true self in a troubled marriage is a poignant reflection of the lengths one might go to break free from such bonds. The story is measured on different levels, and the one showing Molly’s resilience may be the most important in my eyes.

The cinematography, set design, and overall direction effectively set the film's mood, using close-ups to bring us into an intimately close battle with their struggles on screen and broader shots to emphasize their isolation even while surrounded by others. The score builds suspense, drawing the audience deeper into the unfolding drama and amplifying the visions on screen.

LACED captivates its audience with robust performances and a carefully crafted suspenseful atmosphere. It might not be a genre-defining film, but it showcases Butenhoff's promise as a filmmaker. The exploration of intense themes like abuse, deception, and the struggle for self amidst adversity makes it a noteworthy contribution to independent cinema.

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[photo courtesy of DARK SKY FILMS]

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