Fortysomething
Linda is the sort of person who can even make 1980’s nostalgia creepy. It is
because she is completely unhinged, in jealous and possessive ways. She has
decided to befriend Michelle, a not particularly social interior designer in
her early thirties, even if it kills the younger woman. It does not pay to be
nice in Zach Gayne’s Homewrecker, which screens during this year’s
Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival.
Linda
just happened to join Michelle’s workout class and coincidentally stopped by
her favorite coffee shop, where she introduces herself. She is unusually
forward and more than a little bit annoying, but Michelle does not want to seem
rude, so she humors the woman. Reluctantly, she agrees to give Linda’s home a
professional look-over, but that will be a mistake. Once she is inside, Linda
will not let her go. At first, she uses techniques of guilt and manipulation to
convince her to stay, but eventually she resorts to more violent methods.
Frankly,
Linda is not so very different from Annie Wilkes in Misery, but Michelle
is a much more resourceful captive. Ironically, the early scenes of social awkwardness
are much more uncomfortable to watch than the subsequent brawls and beatdowns.
Gayne unleashes some brutal mayhem, but it steeped in bracing dark humor, very
much in the Tarantino tradition.
There
is also some brilliant art design work from Andrew Barr & Tim Reid, who crafted
the look of “Party Hunks,” a retro-80’s Sweet Valley High-esque VHS-boardgame
Linda makes Michelle play. It is the sort of memorable in-film game that ranks
with the ones seen in Beyond the Gates and Into the Dark: Uncanny Annie.
Alex
Essoe’s work as Michelle is probably her best since Starry Eyes, but it
is a much fiercer performance. Her visceral rage to survive makes quite an
impact. Similarly, Precious Chong is so unsettling and discomfiting as Linda, she
will have most viewers crawling out of their skins. Sparks definitely fly between
them (and blood will spatter). This is basically a two-hander until a surprise
guest turns up during the third act, but they easily carry the film together.
As
a title, Homewrecker makes sense after you finish the film, but it initially
seems rather misleading and inapt. Regardless, fans will approve of the way
Essoe, Chong, and Gayne fully commit to the dark premise and troubled characters.
It is simple in terms of setting and staging, but very twisted. Highly
recommended for fans of horror and transgressive humor, Homewrecker screens
again today (3/6), Wednesday (3/11), and the following Saturday (3/14), as part
of Cinequest 2020.
