Tread Lightly: a New Year’s Horror

Read Time:3 Minute, 12 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Time’s Up
–

Genre: Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 23m
Director(s): L.C. Holt
Writer(s): L.C. Holt
Cast: Damian Maffei, Hannah Fierman, L.C. Holt, Jonathan Tiersten, Kamarra Cole, Madison Edmunds, Tyler Senatore, Kate Kiddo, Chaney Morrow, Benji Otte, Bethany Desrosiers, Ryan Villacci, Grant Fieldgrove, Felissa Rose, Dave Sheridan, Trinidad Burgos
Where To Watch: VOD/digital on July 18, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Step right up and journey into the eerily celebratory setting of New Year’s Eve as we delve into L.C. Holt’s cinematic creation, TIME’S UP, under the banner of Dark Sky Films. The film throws us into the thick of holiday festivities in a quaint school in Maine, which spirals into a hauntingly sinister story. Haunted by the shadow of a student's untimely passing, faculty members find themselves the unwilling participants of a nightmarish game orchestrated by a sinister guest. The objective is unsettling yet straightforward: bare your darkest secrets before midnight or prepare for a deadly outcome. The suspense crescendos with every passing second, making us wonder – who will live to sip the first champagne of the New Year?

Holt dares to venture off the well-trodden slasher trail with TIME’S UP, weaving a unique narrative that harmoniously merges the tumultuous nature of school life and the nostalgic flavor of '90s-style horror films—at the same time, trying to balance an homage to other movies yet also trying to make his mark. The film's diverse protagonists play a risky “game” with a spectral figure known as Father Time, their lives and pasts secrets hanging in the balance of a bone-chilling revenge plot. Aided by an ensemble cast, including Damian Maffei, Hannah Fierman, and Jonathan Tiersten, TIME’S UP offers the audience a comforting familiarity.

TIME’S UP loses its footing while trying to carve a niche within the expansive slasher genre. It rehashes well-worn tropes like a masked puppeteer pulling deadly strings and a “twist” that we’ve all seen before. These plotlines might even be deemed cliché. The New Year’s Eve setting doesn't bring the anticipated freshness to the tale, and the characters' motivations are enshrouded in mist.

The film does deserve an accolade for its commendable use of practical effects over excessive CGI, demonstrating a commitment to authenticity. This approach lends a disturbing reality to the violent scenes, painting grotesque moments. Moreover, while the movie tries to up the gore factor as it progresses, it lacks a consistent tempo, leading to a chaotic viewer experience.

The film's rhythm also seems off. The visuals and storyline are monotonous, with wooden performances and lackluster murder sequences. Even the plot twist fails to leave a lasting imprint. Nevertheless, TIME’S UP does shine in spots, particularly towards its climax. The killer's unmasking injects an enjoyable dose of over-the-top horror, contributing positively to the film's tonality.

While TIME’S UP presents an earnest effort to recapture the blood-soaked charm of classic slashers, it doesn't quite hit the bullseye. A few stand-out moments cannot fully compensate for the overall experience. So tread lightly into this New Year's countdown – the thrills might not be as explosive as you'd hope.

For more reviews, please visit – https://linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews for more info.

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of DARK SKY FILMS]