Stalk Her

Stalk Her, directed by John Jarratt and Kaarin Fairfax, is a dark, thrilling, and sometimes, quite humorous exploration of power dynamics between two neurotic individuals. The 2015 film, primarily confined within the walls of a suburban house, serves up a dramatic cat and mouse game filled with tension, surprises, and psychological warfare.

The film opens with Jack, portrayed by John Jarratt of 'Wolf Creek' fame, lurking in the shadows of his coworker Emily's house, played by Kaarin Fairfax. He is an outspoken, misogynistic supermarket worker incapable of forming intimate relationships with women. Jack's idea of romance falls on the darker side of the spectrum, stalking women who catch his fancy. The film's setting is a small town, and Jack and Emily’s world is confined to their workplace, Emily’s quaint suburban house, and the town’s local bar.

Throughout the film, Stalk Her consistently flips the traditional stalker victim narrative. The protagonist Jack premeditatedly breaks into Emily's house late in the night, intending to declare his feelings for her. However, things quickly take an unpredictable turn, resulting in a peculiar power shift. The movie then intensifies into an intense, claustrophobic experience that blurs the lines between the assailant and the victim. Jack and Emily engage in a gripping battle of wits and wills that keep the audience on the edge of their seats till the very end.

Emily's character is multifaceted. She is sweet, incredibly friendly, and maintains an unearthly calm during the most stressful situations. She surprises us with her resourcefulness, intelligence, and a streak of dark wit that becomes increasingly evident as the plot unfolds. On the other hand, Jack oscillates between being a predator and a victim throughout the film, a balance John Jarratt walks with finesse.

Their twisted relationship forms the crux of the narrative. Jack's voyeurism and Emily's fight to survive intermingle with dark humor, lust, love, and vulnerability. This marks a significant departure from the conventional stalker genre, where the narrative is typically predictable.

The film's script, co-authored by Jarratt and Kristijana Maric, brim with clever and witty dialogue. It maintains an edgy yet uncomfortable humor throughout, giving Stalk Her a taste of dark comedy in the most absurd of situations. The twisted banter between the characters adds multiple layers of intrigue, making the storyline unpredictable till the very end.

Directorally, both Jarratt and Fairfax showcase their prowess by maintaining a balance between moments of suspense, tension, and humor. The direction leverages tight close-ups and shadowy camera angles to accentuate the unnerving atmosphere throughout the movie. Intense scenes are tempered with unexpected twists of humor, keeping viewers engaged and guessing till the very end.

In terms of performances, Fairfax delivers a wonderfully nuanced portrayal of Emily. Her spirited performance keeps viewers invested in her character. Jarratt, on the other hand, balances the charm and sinister aspects of his character brilliantly. His moments of frustration, vulnerability, and subdued fear add multiple shades to his character, making Jack a bit more than just a stereotypical stalker.

Notably, cinematographer Jody Muston manages to augment the movie's tension and suspense by focusing on the detailed craft of each sequence. Her visual storytelling coupled with the sharp editing by Bernadette Murray makes Stalk Her visually engaging and keeps the film’s momentum alive, despite it majorly showcasing two characters in one location.

Stalk Her questions societal norms and traditional gender roles through its unusual narrative. The movie serves as a paradoxical romantic thriller that incorporates fear, obsession, desperation, and denial in a tweaked format, creating a distinct breed of a psychological thriller.

In conclusion, Stalk Her is a genre-bending, intense, psychological drama that plays with the viewer's expectations at every turn. The film tells an unpredictable story about two twisted souls trapped in a forsaken night, battling power dynamics, and their unnerving pasts. It is a movie lined with suspense, tension and psychological warfare, making it a worthwhile watch for lover of horror and thriller genres.