With money raised on a Kickstarter campaign, Samuel M. Johnson promised “a scary-as-hell, “Dante’s Inferno”-inspired “7” meets “Hostel.” – well, that’s some tall order and while the results are not terrible, it does fall short on several aspects.
18 year old Danielle (Maura Murphy) has run away from her abusive, adopted parents and is picked up hitchhiking by Virgil (Chris Schleicher). Despite coming across instantly as a wise-ass jerk, she accepts his lift and offer of some food at his house. Big mistake, as she wakes chained up in his basement. He tells her she will endure nine days of suffering and pain in order to cleanse her soul, and she will survive (“not like those others“) if she’s strong.
The premise is one that has been done to death; abduct, torture, humiliate, rinse, repeat. The added interest of elements (very loosely) taken from the first part of Dante’s Divine Comedy don’t actually add much more than the religious zealot. The sadistic torture isn’t as graphic as one would imagine (not surprising giving the film’s low budget) but is still fairly grueling.
Murphy does well in the lead, throwing herself into the part (and several nude moments – including a shower scene in black and white; whether this was as a homage to Psycho is anyone’s guess) but the non-acting skills of Schleicher is where the film really falters. He is more annoying than terrifying, although his condescending tone suits the character.
The not-so-snappy DVD title of the film (not onscreen) is 9 Days: Whipped, Chained and Tortured by a Psychopath which makes it sound even more salacious and nasty. Although it’s certainly not pleasant, the level of violence on display isn’t too over the top, and certainly doesn’t stray in August Underground territory so don’t be expecting a gore-fest. Be warned, however there IS a jaunty song repeated several times which is very annoying and off-putting!
As a first feature, it’s not badly put together; although the limitations of the skill/budget/experience show within the sound design and general direction (we didn’t really need to see the close-up of the severed head in the fridge, it would have been far more effective and chilling just glimpsed – but, hey, they built a great prop so, why not?) , but there’s many worse films out there and hopefully it will be a stepping stone for the director and crew.
5 out of 10
