Pet

Pet, released in 2016, is a psychological horror film starring Dominic Monaghan, Ksenia Solo, and Jennette McCurdy. Famous for his roles in 'Lost' and 'The Lord of the Rings' series, Monaghan gives a harrowing performance as Seth, an introverted loner working in a dreary job at an animal shelter. Reuniting with Ksenia Solo, known for her roles in 'Lost Girl' and 'Orphan Black', who played his former high school crush, Holly, leads him onto a twisted and obscure journey.

The film opens with Seth leading a seemingly nondescript life, filled with isolation and desolation. Seth's mundane existence blooms with a glimmer of hope when he runs into Holly on the bus. Her image remains pristine and untouched in his mind from their high school days but soon, he realizes that Holly is not the innocent girl he remembers.

The realities of Holly's adult life starkly contrast with Seth's expectations, which leads him on a dark path. Seth's warped sense of logic and morality take him from being a lonely, forgettable figure to someone much more sinister yet fascinating in an unsettling way. He finds himself obsessing over Holly, his thoughts dominated by her, and yet when he tries to form a connection with her, he’s repeatedly rejected. This rejection pushes Seth to take drastic measures that lead to a terrifying revelation.

On the other hand, Ksenia Solo delivers a captivating performance as Holly -- a woman who appears outwardly normal, yet guards an intricate network of secrets, which when revealed, paint her in an entirely different light. Solo's portrayal of Holly takes the audience through a rollercoaster ride of emotions, elevating the movie from grim to spine-chilling in moments.

Jennette McCurdy, famous for her role in 'iCarly', adds another layer of depth to the narrative by taking the role of Claire, Holly’s caring co-worker and friend who becomes implicated in the nightmare that unfolds.

Director Carles Torrens has done an outstanding job of masterfully intertwining elements of horror and psychological drama. He slowly builds tension and fear, lacing it with moments of suspense and surprise. Torrens has, without a doubt, spun a web of mystery and horror that keeps the viewers constantly on the edge of their seats, making them question what's real and what's a figment of a character's broken psyche.

Pet paints a creepy and claustrophobic picture, marked by high-quality performances that add a layer of authenticity and depth to the dark tale. The screenplay by Jeremy Slater is tight and compelling, bringing unexpected twists and turns that disrupt the viewer's initial perceptions, leading to an incredibly shocking climax.

Tech credits of the film are equally commendable. The dark and dimly lit cinematography by Timothy A. Burton enhances the haunting undertones of the film while production designer, Richard Flores, presents a set design that perfectly echoes the harrowing lives of the characters. Zach Kuperstein’s editing sharpens the increasingly complex narrative, making it more coherent, yet terrifying for the viewers. The tense background score by Zacarías M. de la Riva elevates not just the overall narrative but also the performances by the actors, giving the horror film its nerve-wracking touch.

One of the standout features of this film is the way it positions its characters. While initially, the protagonist might seem like a harmless, lovelorn guy, and the female lead a damsel in distress, as the story progresses, appearances are unpeeled layer by layer, turning the entire storyline on its head. This isn't any regular tale of obsession or unrequited love. This is something more sinister, more dark, where the characters flip-flop between being the predator and the prey, keeping the audience off-balance till the very end.

In conclusion, Pet is a psychological horror film that fearlessly ventures into unexplored territories. The movie takes the viewer into an intricate labyrinth of mind games, where the boundaries of good and evil blur. Challenging stereotypes and taken for granted assumptions of the horror genre, Pet delivers an intense cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impression. It's a must-watch for those who enjoy a thrilling mix of suspense, horror, and psychological drama, keeping them guessing till the very end.