Observance

Observance is a compelling 2015 psychological horror film, directed by Joseph Sims-Dennett. In this evocative narrative, some highly talented individuals, such as Stephanie King, Lindsay Farris, and Brendan Cowell, display exceptional performances – ensuring that they keep you hooked, on the edge of your seat, and eager to watch more.

We follow the life of a desolated private investigator, Parker (Lindsay Farris), who is still grieving and suffering from the untimely loss of his young son. Financial difficulties force him to take a seemingly uncomplicated assignment from an anonymous employer. His task appears simple: he must conduct surveillance on a young woman, Tenneal (Stephanie King).

However, as the narrative unfolds, a sense of discomfort, eeriness, and suspicion begin to creep in. The movie brilliantly captures the nerve-wracking unseen and unexpected horrors that commence to unfold as Parker delves deeper into his observational task. The atmosphere grows more and more tense as Parker continues observing Tenneal from the confinement of a derelict apartment.

The film is heavily embedded in the film noir tradition, employing heavy use of shadows, off-kilter camera angles, and a sense of growing dread to build tension. The image of Parker in the half-light, watching through his camera, becomes a metaphor for voyeurism, the audience’s voyeuristic tendencies and how disconnected we have become from direct human interaction. Observance uses visuals and sound extraordinarily to create a tense environment. A keen attention to the mise-en-scene, interwoven with a haunting sound design, make Observance an engaging watch.

As the plot thickens, we find Parker's mental state severely deteriorating, afflicted by bizarre dreams and distractions. He encounters inexplicable occurrences, which seem to result from the apparent hauntings of the abandoned apartment, or perhaps, from his overwhelming guilt and grief over his son. His desperate search to figure out who his employer is and to unravel the mystery surrounding the woman he's observing begins to play heavily on his mental stability.

The cast of this movie deserves considerable praise for their magnificent performances. Lindsay Farris, portraying Parker, perfectly captures a broken man crushed by grief, loneliness, and fear. His slow descent into madness is believable and heartbreaking. Equally commendable is Stephanie King's performance as the woman under scrutiny, Tenneal. Her character is mysterious and aloof, adding curiosity and intrigue to the plot. Brendan Cowell, albeit in a smaller role, impresses with a strong portrayal that fits seamlessly into the story.

One of the biggest strengths of Observance is its ability to blur the boundary between the real and the supernatural, and this is maximised by the disorienting and eerie atmosphere Sims-Dennett elicits. The film uses horror genre tropes in such a way that imbues the narrative with an overarching sense of unease, keeping the audience guessing till the end.

For fans of thrillers and psychological horror movies, Observance is a must-watch. Although it starts as a straightforward crime noir, it becomes much more rich, layered, and chilling as it progresses. A daring mixture of psychological horror and disturbing mystery, Observance is a film that commands attention from its viewers, forcing them to question their perceptions and reflect on their own fears and paranoias.

Wrought with tension, suspense and a mysterious underlying narrative, Observance is a uniquely unsettling and haunting cinematic experience. Sims-Dennett’s film reminds us that sometimes the most troubling horrors are not the overtly terrifying monsters, but the inner demons that everyone carries with them, and the terrifying suspense that the unknown brings. In an age of predictable horror narratives, Observance truly stands out, bringing a fresh perspective and approach to the genre. It is a chilling reminder that far too often, the most terrifying demons are not those that go bump in the night, but rather, our suppressed traumas, haunting memories, and the fear of the unknown.