Director Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, Patrick Horvath, Radio Silence
Genre Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Cast Kate Beahan, Matt Bettineli-Olpin, Susan Burke, Zoe Cooper
Rating Unrated
Release Date February, 5th 2016 (Limited Release) now available via On Demand & i-Tunes
“Five interlocking tales of terror follow the fates of a group of weary travellers who confront their worst nightmares - and darkest secrets - over one long night on a desolate stretch of desert highway.”
Southbound is a very unique anthology style horror film with 4 intertwining stories, put together as a joint effort involving some highly talented yet relatively unknown individuals. The film credits a total of 4 directors, one of which is made up of 4 members collectively known as Radio Silence. The other 3 directors include Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, and Patrick Horvath. With the exception of Horvath, this same group all worked together on the 2012 horror film V/H/S. Southbound is a creative collaboration with the primary goal of rejuvenating old school horror by any means necessary.
Southbound feels quite similar to the hit 2014 horror film It Follows, sharing a similarly eerie and effective score, oddly outdated décor, and retro-style directing. Before seeing It Follows in theaters, I almost forgot how important a quality score is when it comes to setting the tone and creating the right atmosphere. Most horror films today rely on cheap jump scares but Southbound has one simple goal, to instill the feeling of fear without the potential for escape. The anthology style of filmmaking ensures that the film has something for everyone, with each intertwined tale retaining its own personal brand of horror.
As an indie film with a limited budget, the acting is actually very good. Southbound technically includes two lead actors in terms of the story itself but the amount of screen time is split fairly evenly. What I found fascinating is that the two male leads, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Chad Villella who play Jack and Mitch, the first two characters introduced on screen, are members of Radio Silence who also directed the film. The entire cast seemed to take pride in the roles they were playing and the chemistry was evident throughout. I cannot stress enough the amount of genuine talent surrounding this project and I look forward to what’s next for this group.
Southbound is a breath of fresh air for a struggling genre that desperately needs some positive momentum. With a strong potential for replay ability, I hope more films follow suit and continue to build on the values that make horror films great. Southbound epitomizes the very core of desperation with its character development, establishing the precise point where a human being begins to question the will to live. If you personally value artful filmmaking, have a certain level of appreciation for independent films, or simply enjoy quality horror films, Southbound is definitely worth your time.
