Awaiting

Awaiting is a gripping psychological horror film directed by Mark Murphy and starring Tony Curran, Diana Vickers, and Rupert Hill. Released in 2015, it has intrigued and terrified audiences with its unique mix of suspense and horror, boosted by dynamic performances and a richly crafted narrative.

The movie is set in a remote location in the United Kingdom, where the air is thick with isolation. At the heart of this eerie setting is the enigmatic figure of Morris, brilliantly portrayed by Tony Curran, who is a long-standing inhabitant of the desolate location. Morris, a scrapyard worker, is known for his reclusive lifestyle. Apart from his work and his regular visits to the local pub, his overwhelming devotion to his teenage daughter Lauren, portrayed by Diana Vickers, consumes most of his life. In essence, the father-daughter duo seems just like any other ordinary family living in the solitude of the countryside. This seemingly mundane setup is what begins the thrilling journey that Awaiting offers.

Enter the character of Jake, an enigmatic character portrayed splendidly by Rupert Hill, whose dramatic entrance into the plot amplifies the story to new dimensions. A successful lawyer who finds himself unceremoniously dumped amidst the desolation following an unforeseen car crash, Jake wakes up in Morris's house, injured and disoriented. His arrival creates a veil of mystery that only thickens as the narrative unfurls.

While at Morris's house, he quickly draws the attention of innocent teenager Lauren, who despite her father's protective and possessive demeanor, begins developing an infatuation towards Jake. This burgeoning relationship between the two stirs a wave of tension in their isolated existence. The plot doesn't shy from taking some shocking turns as it unravels the motives behind the ‘kindness’ of Morris and the dark secrets he has been keeping from the world, especially his daughter.

Curran delivers a powerful performance that keeps the audience on tenterhooks throughout the film. His portrayal of Morris as an overprotective father with a dark past is shattering, and his masterful execution brings life to this unforgettable character. Vickers also shines as Lauren, successfully encapsulating the innocent curiosity and burgeoning adulthood that gives a genuine depth to her character. Hill's performance as the unsuspecting outsider is top-notch too, maintaining a suspenseful atmosphere throughout the picture.

The direction and screenplay by Mark Murphy deserve mention as well. The narrative plays around with themes of isolation, suspense, and the essence of existential dread. It dives headfirst into the complexities of human relationships, the depths of obsession, and the darkness that lurks beneath seemingly ordinary lives.

Murphy skilfully interweaves the tension and dread that permeates the film with breathtaking visuals of the forsaken location. The cinematography is rendered with painstaking detail; each frame is soaked in an eerie atmosphere that aids the storytelling. Some viewers may find echoes of films like 'Misery' and 'The Silence of the Lambs', but Awaiting carves its unique niche within the genre.

In terms of music score, the movie delivers a suspenseful and atmospheric array of sounds that pairs perfectly with the narrative and visual direction of the film. The special effects, mainly surrounding the gore aspect, are realistic and ingeniously planned, generating a visceral reaction from the viewer.

In a tight and suspenseful runtime of 95 minutes, Awaiting keeps you dangling on the edge with its constant twists and unnerving dread. The movie expertly combines elements of drama, thriller, and horror into a masterpiece that will lure you into an intense emotional ride, where you will find yourself both fascinated and horrified by the action unfolding on the screen.

In summary, Awaiting stands out as an engaging, thrilling, and psychologically intense horror film. This movie will most likely attract viewers who appreciate a complex character study intertwined with elements of suspenseful drama and undiluted terror. It offers a unique perspective into the darkest recesses of the human psyche and the secrets that we hide behind our normal facades. Staying true to its genre, it doesn't pull any punches with its shocking plot twists, evoking a sense of dread that sticks with you long after the credits roll.