Living in the middle of nowhere in a run down trailer park, isolated Patrick (Brendan Rock) endures a stormy night until a woman knocks on his door. Having weathered the storm on her way to Patrick’s trailer, the Visitor (Jordan Cowan) is desperate for help and directions back home. Inviting the young woman in, the two begin questioning each others motives.
Painfully familiar, the film opens on a well-known and thoroughly explored premise. Presenting the lonesome Patrick, ‘You’ll Never Find Me’ begins with an unusual and ominous tone however. Before the introduction of the Visitor, the man is tormented by the raging storm outside, suggesting there is more to the elements than we’re yet privy to.
With his reticent poise and cautious manner towards the Visitor, Patrick initially plays the part of someone tormented. Suggesting he is scared and unwilling to mix with anyone, the introduction of the Visitor places distrust on the young woman. After the two exchange courtesies and Patrick offers to dry the woman’s clothes, the two establish a guardedly trusting relationship.
By way of a tightly controlled and confined space, directors Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell have created a singular experience of suspense. From the opening sequence of Patrick sitting by himself in the trailer to the introduction and ultimate confrontation with the Visitor, the creators have mastered a distinctive experience through superbly limited use of light and overwhelmingly tense audio effects. Making light and sound active participants in the story, rather than just elements of it, the film delivers a 99-minute experience of anxiety and excitement as the two characters take turns toying with each other.
Creating an uneasy atmosphere from the opening scene Rock portrays a reserved yet suspect individual. Hiding from the world at the back of the caravan park, his peace is disturbed by the uninvited guest. Changing between the pursued and the pursuant, Rock delivers a highly impactful performance as the man goes from lonesome isolate to volatile psychopath.
Balanced by the Visitor, Cowan is introduced as lost damsel, ready to rely on the kindness of a stranger. After carefully navigating through the trailer, always on high alert, the Visitor eventually demands passage from the home. Highlighting the vulnerability of a young woman in an unfamiliar place with a stranger, the tension mounts as her life hangs in the balance and Patrick’s behavior does not dismiss the threat of danger at all times. Beautifully played by both Rock and Cowan, the pair bring to the screen a slew of uncomfortable and chilling scenes, exacerbated by the claustrophobic setting and the fury of the storm outside.
With well-worn tropes from the genre, the film quickly establishes itself as unique from the familiar. Tonally distinct and visually impactful ‘You’ll Never Find Me’ makes use of the well known but chooses to form its own path to bring us an uncomfortable story that steadily mounts in tension, unrelenting till the very end.
Even though the conclusion of the story may be anticipated and expected, the film takes enough chances and delivers an epic end to Patrick’s story as the fury of those he has harmed in the past comes crashing down on the man. Through an absolute haze, the way the main character meets his end will leave viewers startled and uncomfortable for long after the film’s credits roll.
Score: 4/4
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