Lasso

Lasso is an adrenaline-packed, gritty survival horror film from 2017 that fearlessly delves into the realms of human brutality and survival instincts. Crafted by director Evan Cecil, the film unfolds in a terrifying marginal frontier where predators run rampant and prey are left to fend for themselves or perish. This journey into depravity brims with shock moments, unexpected twists, and tension that persistently pushes the viewers’ expectations to its limits, featuring stellar performances from Sean Patrick Flanery, Lindsey Morgan, and Andrew Jacobs.

Set against a blood-streaked background, Lasso narrates the fight for survival of a handful of unsuspecting tourists who decide to partake in a local rodeo festival. Little do they know what the future holds for them; a wild ride of breathless terror and relentless chases. The film can be appreciated for its stark portrayal of the seemingly innocent traditional American pastime unraveling as a blood-soaked nightmare.

Sean Patrick Flanery stars as Ennis, an ex-rodeo champion, whose world-weary grit perfectly compliments the unforgiving backdrop of the movie. Lindsey Morgan delivers an astounding performance as the strong-willed and resourceful Kit, imbuing the script with raw emotion and fearlessness. Andrew Jacobs’ portrayal of Trish, who aids the heroes on this nightmarish path to survival, is commendably realistic and chilling. The acting talent does an extraordinary job in making the spectators empathize with their plight and root for their survival against all odds.

The film's horror undertones are expertly highlighted by Cecil's directorial skills, who establishes a claustrophobic space of dread and trepidation using the desolate setting to its absolute potential. He masterfully exploits the ambiance that is both visually unsettling and resonates with the undercurrents of fear propagated throughout the film. It is this terrific sense of place and the impending doom that keeps the eerie atmosphere palpable.

Despite being grounded in the horror- thriller genre, Lasso does not shy away from examining the baser parts of human nature. The savage wilderness where the protagonists find themselves is merely a pretext to unravel the dark and primordial human instincts when faced with the fight or flight scenario. It is a grim reflection of human monstrosity that isn't simply confined to myth and supernatural folklore.

From a visual perspective, Lasso is nothing short of disturbingly beautiful. The cinematography works in tandem with the graphic and ghastly elements of the script, resulting in a brutal spectacle that one cannot simply turn away from. The nuanced use of light and shadow sprinkles an additional layer of dread, rendering the viewers to expect the unexpected at every twist and turn.

At its core, Lasso is a spine-chilling journey of how far one can push their limits to survive. It poses the existential question of what it means to fight to stay alive in the face of a relentless hunter. As the film progresses, viewers are left to contend with the disconcerting realization that humans too, at the end of the day, are animals that can resort to savage means for survival.

The music score by Benjamin Wallfisch adds another dimension to the film's polemic and horrific scheme. The foreboding score ebbs and flows with the mounting tension, underscoring the erratic pulse of desperation that beats at the heart of the story.

Despite often feeling unforgivingly brutal, Lasso has a core of ethics and human spirit that shines amidst the gruesome story. The growth of the characters as they adapt to their hideous reality is testament to the courage and resilience of mankind. In the hideous unveiling of fear, there emerges the spirit to confront and overcome it; a subtle uplifting message that the film imparts amidst the cascade of horror.

To put it in a nutshell, Lasso is not for the faint-hearted, it is a freefall into the dark pits of horror, brutality and survival. But if probed deeper, it is also a tale of the human capacity to adapt, endure and eventually triumph. For people with a taste for horror and survival drama, Lasso serves as a perfect choice.