Flee the Light

Flee the Light is a riveting and unsettling horror film released in 2021 that beautifully weaves together elements of psychological suspense and supernatural intrigue. Directed by Alexandra Senza, the film features a talented cast including Annie Tuma, Ariana Marquis, and Jamar Adams Thompson in leading roles.

Annie Tuma gives an intense and captivating performance as Beth, the story's central character and a psychology undergraduate tasked with an unusual assignment. Beth is challenged to explore and decode an eerie supernatural occurrence tied to her estranged sister Gabby, a troubled woman who claims to be tormented by otherworldly beings. Ariana Marquis perfectly portrays the tormented Gabby, gradually revealing her struggle with unsettling sensations of invisible entities' constant surveillance, whispering voices, and disturbing hallucinations.

Jamar Adams Thompson provides a cool contrast to the predominantly female cast, delivering a measured performance as Rob, a fellow student and confidant who helps Beth chart her sister's terrifying world. Thompson's effortless portrayal brings a sense of balance and offers an external perspective to the inner turmoil and saga of the sisters.

Flee the Light finds its strength in the tight-knit plot penned by Judith who strategically layers the narrative with revealing flashbacks, tense via-present-age unraveling, and nerve-racking anticipatory sequences that honor the sinister ambience of the storyline. Her writing style is remarkably descriptive yet leaves ample room for speculation, inviting the audience into a guessing game that adds to the film's overall immersive experience.

Moreover, the movie is not all terror and jump scares. It is carefully woven with an underlying theme of interpersonal human relations, focusing on the challenges of familial estritude, the delicate bonds between siblings, and the effort to comprehend and navigate mental health issues. The narrative examines these themes through the lens of horror, making it a deeply affective narrative.

The cinematography of Flee the Light adds a significant layer of suspense, with Mauricio Gudiño's work capturing the film's unnerving tone, rendering the invisible menace lurking in the shadows as a horrifyingly tangible presence. The camera work and color palette work in tandem to highlight the stark difference between normalcy and the haunting ordeal of Gabby, especially during the suspenseful nighttime sequences.

The soundtrack by Antonio Nardi enhances the tension built by the narrative and the visual aesthetic. The suspenseful silence, whispers, low-frequency throbs, soprano wails, and the sudden piercing effects play instrumental roles in narrating Gabby's haunting struggle with the invisible. The film establishes a chilling soundscape that resonates unerringly with the narrative.

However, it is in the execution of the characters' mental struggles where Flee The Light truly shines. The movie explores the emotional toll of dealing with a loved one's mental health issues, the stressful journey to understand their plight, and the helpless urge to vanquish their tormentor. It’s a story layered with human emotions interwoven in a web of supernatural mystery.

In conclusion, Flee the Light is an engaging and thoughtful horror drama that uses the genre to touch upon profound human issues. The exemplary performances by the lead cast and the masterful direction make this movie a compelling watch that puzzles, terrifies, and moves its audience in equal measure.