Tito

Tito is a 2019 psychological horror-comedy film that marks the directorial debut of actress and filmmaker Grace Glowicki. The movie stars Glowicki herself in the title role, alongside actor Ben Petrie. Presented as an intriguing blend of various genres, the movie skillfully juxtaposes Glowing's Tito character’s bleak, survivalist settings with his unusual circumstances and experiences to tell an offbeat and gripping story.

At the core of Tito is the eponymous lead character's unusual predicament and his even stranger response to it. Panic-stricken, anxiety-ridden, and constantly on the edge, Tito lives in constant fear of a force so paralyzing that it has driven him into hiding inside his home. Terrified by the outside world and its unseen terrors, he spends his days worrying and finding survivalistic solutions to his self-enforced isolation.

Tito's only relief from his harrowing existence comes in the form of an unlikely friend named John, portrayed by Ben Petrie. John symbolizes the outside world, humane concern, human connection, and the intense complications that come with them. He wanders into Tito's life merely by coincidence, a friendly but assertive stranger who forces himself into Tito's life and hosue.

The physical comedy of the film is broad, filled with pratfalls and sight gags that are accompanied by a constant tension. This blend of genuine dread and whimsy marks Tito’s journey and the narrative of the film, crossing boundaries of conventional genre storytelling and climactic situations.

As Tito, Glowicki delivers a profoundly visceral, intense, and physically demanding performance. Her portrayal of the protagonist's near-constant panic feels both eerily realistic and absurd, highlighting the film's tone and theme. Yet, her performance is always empathetic and human, inviting the audience to fear for Tito, even as they laugh at the predicaments he finds himself in.

Ben Petrie, as John, offers the perfect foil to Tito's extreme introversion. With lesser material, John could have easily been a flat, one-dimensional character. But with Petrie’s layered acting and Glowicki’s acutely insightful writing, John blossoms into a beacon of hope for the troubled Tito, as well as a source of confusion and conflict. Petrie’s calm demeanor is a constant contrast to Glowicki’s frantic energy, a dynamic that is always engaging and ever-evolving during the course of the film.

Tito is defined by its distinct style and substance, which is enhanced by its sound design and camera work. The score is composed of discordant strings and ambient noises, creating a soundscape that echoes Tito’s internal dialogue of fear and confusion. Similarly, the moody, atmospheric cinematography, coupled with jittery handheld camera sequences, creates a sense of poignant desolation and fear-induced paranoia that depicts Tito’s dread.

However, the film never loses sight of its central theme of self-imposed boundaries and the courage it requires to deal with one's internal demons. Undoubtedly, Tito’s story unfolds in a bleak and unrecognizable world, but elements of care, compassion, and resilient faith in humanity shine throughout the runtime of the film.

In its totality, Tito is a vividly crafted horror-comedy, a challenging genre that the film successfully navigates with style and substance. Grace Glowicki’s commanding performance and the intuitive and thought-provoking screenplay are undoubtedly the standout aspects of the film. Tito is a sublime and unusual creation that may require time to settle and resonate with its audience, owing to its unorthodox storytelling techniques, but once it does, it leaves an indelible impression.

Tito is an unconventional exploration into fear and friendship, a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. From its stellar performances to its unique narrative style, there is a lot to appreciate and admire about this intriguing feature film.