Realms

Realms is a 2017 supernatural horror-thriller movie directed by Daric Gates and starring Ryan Kelley, Madison McKinley, and Praya Lundberg. The film is a roller-coaster ride of suspense and thrill, interwoven with elements of the supernatural that keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Bangkok, the movie opens amidst the chaotic milieu of a bank heist. The plot focuses on two American bank robbers, Alex, played by Ryan Kelley, and Leslie, portrayed by Madison McKinley. Their accomplice is the highly skilled Thai criminal, Gogo, played by Praya Lundberg.

In a hard-hitting sequence of explosive events, the trio escape the police in a high-speed car chase. But fate takes a sudden sinister turn as they are involved in a car accident. Dazed, lost and injured, they find themselves in a seemingly deserted mansion in the middle of nowhere. This forms the premise of the movie, as the apparent safe haven soon morphs into a mansion of horrors. What initially seems to be a lucky turn of events soon spirals into a nightmarish reality filled with eeriness and dark secrets.

The characters themselves are multidimensional, riddled with their own complexities and shadows. Alex, portrayed by Kelley, exhibits layers of toughness, vulnerability, and an insatiable quest for survival. McKinley brings to life the character of Leslie. Tormented and untamed, she exhibits a robust attempt to escape from the ties of her past and fight the unknown. Lundberg's portrayal of Gogo is marked by her ruthless efficiency and the darkness within, as she battles the supernatural with her survival skills. Together, they make a fascinating ensemble, embroiled in a web of fear, suspicion, and uncanny events.

The otherworldly mansion becomes a character in itself, shrouded in mystery and horror, pushing the limits of the trio's sanity. It's a common denominator in revealing the inevitable intertwined fates of our protagonists. With each passing moment in this derelict house, their sanity and trust in one another are tested.

The cinematography of Realms deserves a special mention for capturing the eerie scenes with skillful precision. With its gritty and dark ambiance, it flawlessly encapsulates the enigmatic charm of the mansion and the terror that lurks within its walls. This atmospheric thriller uses simple but effective lighting, successfully establishing the creepy and eerie mood without relying on cheap scares. The scenery shots of Bangkok juxtaposed against the hellish mansion interiors render an unsettling dichotomy that enlivens the narrative.

As the storyline progresses, there are twists and turns that unravel staggeringly, keeping the viewers engaged and intrigued. The narrative balances the tension-filled atmosphere with character development, creating an unsettling bond between the viewers and the central characters. The sensation of suspense is exquisitely crafted, and the film achieves an excellent form of storytelling with an ominous undertone.

The sound design of the film is another glaring element adding to the fear factor in the movie. The film uses an impressive array of unsettling noises that often leave the audience anticipating what might happen next. The suspenseful music score enhances the eerie atmosphere, keeping the audience engaged in the suspenseful journey.

Director Daric Gates has crafted a gripping piece of horror cinema with Realms. The film is more than a crime thriller. It delves into the supernatural horror genre, mixing suspense and mystery with nerve-wracking fear. Coupling the convoluted storyline and complex characters, Gates has created a suspenseful and haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the film concludes.

To wrap it up, Realms is an adrenaline-pumping voyage into the terrifying unknown. Filled with suspenseful twists and mind-boggling turns, the film is marked by captivating performances, beautiful cinematography, and excellent sound design. It's a well-penned tale that will keep the audiences wired in horror and suspense from the first scene till the spine-chilling climax.