Bait

Bait, a gripping, thrilling and psychologically intense 2014 British horror film, is directed by Dominic Brunt and stars the accomplished actor Victoria Smurfit, Jonathan Slinger, and Joanne Mitchell. Not to be confused with the 2000 action comedy of the same name, Bait delves into a world of dependency, desperation, friendship, and horror.

The plot revolves around the arduous journey of two best friends, Bex (Victoria Smurfit) and Dawn (Joanne Mitchell), who muster the courage to break away from their mundane lives by setting up a gourmet cafe. Set against the backdrop of urban Britain, Bex and Dawn dream of liberation from their humdrum jobs in a market, and long to abandon their financially strapped lives. The protagonists yearn to scale up their life's circumstances, which serves as both the life force of their bond, and the seed to their horrific nightmare.

Just when they seem to find a silver lining in the form of a seemingly generous loan offer from an affluent local entrepreneur, Jeremy (Jonathan Slinger), they find themselves tumbling down a rabbit hole into sinister circumstances. The story transcends from a tale of two working women in Britain into a nerve-racking struggle to break free from a ruthless sociopath’s deadly entrapment.

Victoria Smurfit steals the show with her intense portrayal of Bex, a strong-willed, fiery woman beset by terrifying circumstances. Her elegant yet raw performance catalyses the movie's climactic momentum. Joanne Mitchell convincingly portrays Dawn's character, the softer, calmer counterpoint to Bex. Her skillful depiction brings to the fore the emotional spectrum of a woman thrust into a fight-or-flight scenario. Jonathan Slinger, compelling as the villain, is a display of remarkable acting prowess as he oscillates between the embodiment of friendly assistance and unflinching cruelty.

Dominic Brunt’s craft as a director is displayed in the stark contrast between the dichotomous halves of the movie. The first half entails the everyday life of Bex and Dawn, littered with dreams of a better tomorrow. This naturalistic depiction of urban England, laden with grey tones and mundane realities, sets the stage for the menacing transition the film navigates towards.

The movie swiftly transitions into its second half, a brutal horror thriller. The cinematic tools such as the shift in colour scheme and claustrophobic shooting techniques render an accurate depiction of the despair and terror plaguing Bex and Dawn. This part of the film does not shy away from thrilling, chilling scenes, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, captivated by the horrifying, unforgiving turn of events.

Despite being a horror thriller, Bait is also a film loaded with social commentary. Throughout their ordeal, Bex and Dawn dismantle our perception of victimhood, becoming the architects of their fate. By transforming into challenging adversaries for their villain, they embody courage and resilience in the face of terror, thereby, reflecting upon the power dynamics prevalent in society.

The cleverly woven narrative of Bait is further enhanced by Mark Illis's realistic and engaging screenplay, which succeeds in thrilling the audience whilst also evoking empathy. The horrors depicted feel uncomfortably real, mainly down to the intricate characterisation and the decision to steep the drama in real-world issues such as financial struggles and exploitation; these themes are relatable and add a layer of poignant realism to an otherwise horrific tale.

Ameet Chana's on-point editing and Sound Design by Alastair Widgery complement Dominic’s directorial expertise. The nerve-wracking climax gives justice to the build-up of suspense, with its creative use of sound and visuals serving as a testament to the teams' combined efforts. The hauntingly brilliant score by Thomas Ragsdale heightens the tension and turns the screw further, immersing the viewer thoroughly within the story's dark undertow.

In essence, Bait is an intriguing blend of horror and social commentary. It throws open an insightful perspective towards societal norms and power dynamics through its compelling narrative. It is not your typical horror flick but comprises a spine-chilling portrayal of two women’s fight for survival. Their harrowing ordeal, tenacity, and resilience form the crux of this intensely satisfying horror film. This multi-layered cinematic experience makes Bait a must-watch for aficionados of the horror-thriller genre.