The Carnivores

The Carnivores is a darkly humorous yet thought-provoking movie by director Caleb Michael Johnson. It is a blended concoction of robust themes of human dynamics, emotional struggles, self-discovery, and a unique permutation of the love triangle. The latter involving two humans and a pet dog.

Alice (played by Tallie Medel) and Bret (played by Lindsay Burdge) are a young and loving couple whose relationship is tried and tested with the complicated feelings they harbor for their dog, Harvie. Harvie, a German Shepherd, is ill and needs special care, which has started taking a toll on Alice and Bret's romantic relationship. The film magnificently unfolds a shared obsession while maintaining a candid representation of the multifaceted human bond and its natural side effects.

The character of Alice, portrayed by Tallie Medel, is characterized by her increasing feeling of being an outsider in her own relationship. She is continuously questioned about her investment in Harvie as she typically doesn't share the fawning adoration Bret does for their dog. On the other hand, Bret, brought to life on screen by Lindsay Burdge, embodies the archetypical doting pet parent who is relentlessly attempting to nurse her ailing dog back to health, in the process, sidelining Alice.

Particularly interesting is the exploration of how Alice, despite her apparent jealousy of Harvie, begins to undergo a transformation in her feelings towards the dog. It is her progression towards acceptance and genuine concern for Harvie that signifies a crucial emotional arc in the film. The Carnivores enables its audience to take a deep dive into the psyche of its main characters, leaving them engrossed in the narrative's evolution.

The American indie that premiered in the Bright Future section of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the 'Carnivores,' sets itself apart by boldly juxtaposing the mundane with an underlying intensity, represented by the surreal dreams experienced by Alice. Her dreams, serving as figments of her subconscious, showcase her wrestling her isolation and marginalization, which feed into her characterization.

Director Caleb Michael Johnson has done an exceptional job of keeping the storytelling crisp and impactful. A juxtaposition of the routine with the surreal keeps audiences intrigued. He cleverly uses the medium of cinema as a tool to unwind the complexity of human emotions, relationships, and the influence of the unexpected element — Harvie, on Alice and Bret. It is absurdist, sure, but yet it is grounded in a reality that is deeply relatable. The director ensures that the plot's unnerving dynamics never recoil into a farce, balancing oddity and realism skillfully.

Complementing the scripting and direction of The Carnivores is the absorbing work of cinematographer Adam J. Minnick, whose keen eyes and astute lens enhance the narrative's tonality. The influences of mumblecore aesthetics throughout the film add a textured visual language complementing the film's narrative and contributing to film's overall eccentricity.

The Carnivores' unique narrative and significant attention to emotional detailing allows its audience to appreciate the depth behind every character and scene, even those that may initially appear as small or inconsequential. It's a film that bravely pushes boundaries but does so in a way that urges thought and introspection, rather than merely shock or surprise.

The Carnivores is not an oversimplified romantic drama nor is it wholly a comedy. Instead, it explores deeper themes of the human psyche under the garb of common life circumstance: a sick pet. It's an evocative, often comical, and always beguiling cinematic experience that underscores the inherent complexity of human relationships and the emotional turmoil possible when those relationships are strained.

Through The Carnivores, Johnson bravely approaches a unique narrative angle, introducing the audience to the complications that arise from the dynamics between lovers and their shared pet. With its bitter-sweet blend of darkness and humor, The Carnivores is a must-watch for those seeking a wildly original exploration of the lengths one will go in the name of love and obsession.