Seaside

Seaside, a 2018 film from director Sam Zalutsky, deftly combines the thriller and drama genres to create a compelling narrative that's fuelled by the intricate dynamics of relationships, simmering passions, and secrets from the past. Set against the alluring backdrop of a charming coastal town in Oregon, the plot centers around Daphne (Ariana DeBose), her boyfriend Roger (Matt Shingledecker), and his ex-lover, Susanna (Steffanie Leigh), and Consuelo (Sharon Washington).

The cinematography and setting play distinct roles in the film, with Zalutsky employing the scenic seaside town as an emotive canvas that heightens the drama unfolding on-screen. The picturesque landscape's tranquility contrasts the storyline's turbulent emotions and the characters' simmering tensions, making for an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the movie's dramatic gravity.

Emmy nominee Ariana DeBose (Hamilton, The Prom) plays Daphne, a young woman from a modest background who moves to the Oregon Coast and into a house her wealthy boyfriend, Roger, inherited. DeBose delivers a brilliantly nuanced performance that paints Daphne's innate vulnerability, fierce determination, and yearning for a better life, driving the plot and propelling the nail-biting suspense that the film becomes renowned for.

Matt Shingledecker (Les Miserables, Rent the Musical) plays Roger, a mercurial and enigmatic figure whose wealthy background forms the basis of many reveals in the film. His relationship with Daphne is teeming with tensions, both spoken and unspoken, that speak to underlying issues he grapples with. His character is complex, layered, and unfolds gradually as the film progresses, keeping the audience guessing about his true intentions all the way through.

The cast is rounded up by Steffanie Leigh (Mary Poppins, War Horse) who plays Susanna, Roger's ex-lover, and Sharon Washington (Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Joker) who plays Roger's mother, Consuelo. Susanna, not quite ready to let go of her past with Roger, brings another level of tension into the unfolding story. Consuelo, on the other hand, presents a mystery of her own – her views and interventions add intrigue to the narrative, further complicating the relationships.

The script's greatest strength lies in its ability to peel off layers from the characters as the story unfolds, revealing complex, deeply human personas underneath the initial facades. As we delve deeper into the narrative, Zalutky skillfully unravels the complexities, secrets, and pasts that each character has locked away. The actions and motivations of each individual grow more crystal clear, making the unraveling all the more suspenseful.

Throughout the film, Zalutsky does a masterful job in building suspense. The engrossing dramatic turns and striking plot twists are effectively paced, slowly increasing the stakes and intensifying the story's suspense. Yet, the director doesn’t rely solely on twists and shocks to capture and captivate the audience's attention. The subtleties in the film’s emotion and relationships are given ample time to breathe, allowing viewers to grow more invested in the characters and the increasingly complex web of relations between them.

Seaside is as much a character study as it is a thriller, with a great deal of the film focusing on exploring the human psyche and the complex dynamics of relationships. Its narrative of betrayal, love, resentment, and revenge, coupled with its captivating aesthetic, keeps viewers enthralled from start to finish.

In the end, Seaside emerges as a compelling thriller-drama film set in the picturesque Oregon Coast. It's a tale of love, passion, betrayal, and revenge told through the eyes of three primary characters - Daphne, Roger, and Susanna. With its brilliant cinematography, compelling plot, and evocative performances, Seaside is a truly gripping cinematic experience worthy of any film enthusiast's attention.