WTF!

WTF! is a 2017 horror movie directed by Peter Herro, featuring a fusion of old school horror charm and modern day horror storytelling. The film stars an ensemble cast including Callie Ott, Nicholas James Reilly, and Andrea Hunt, who deliver solid and dedicated performances amidst the increasingly escalating chaos and horror.

The movie starts with Rachel, portrayed by Callie Ott, the sole survivor of a gruesome mass murder that took place during a spring break trip six years ago. Despite surviving, she carries the baggage of this traumatic past, struggling with flashbacks and nightmares that remind her every day of the horrifying event. PTSD takes a toll on her daily life, but she finds a ray of hope when she gets accepted into a college.

She looks forward to her college life, hoping it would serve as a fresh start, away from the shadows of the past. She is eager to have normal experiences like attending classes, hanging out with friends, and going to parties. Here, she finds support in the form of her best friend - Bonnie, portrayed by Andrea Hunt, and her boyfriend, Sam, played by Nicholas James Reilly. They, along with other friends, decide to join her for a much-needed spring break trip to a remote family cabin.

The vacation is supposed to be a welcome and much-needed diversion for Rachel. It all starts with harmless fun, normal college escapades, parties, and bonding. However, the film takes a dark and horrifying turn. As the friends indulge themselves in spring break fun, we begin to see traces of the menacing evil that Rachel dripped blood with, years ago. The events take a strikingly similar path to Rachel's past, evoking a dreadful sense of Deja Vu.

Callie Ott wonderfully portrays the terrified and traumatized Rachel, while Nicholas James Reilly and Andrea Hunt efficiently accompany her acting prowess with their roles as Sam and Bonnie. They convincingly showcase the fear and confusion of the group facing a relentless unnamed terror. Nicholas gives life to Sam's empathetic character, who stands like a pillar with his girlfriend, Rachel, during this harrowing time. Andrea as Bonnie captures the essence of being a supportive best friend while battling her fright.

As the story unfolds, Peter Herro combines elements of terror, paranoia, suspense, death, and survival, slowly revealing the bone-chilling reality. The background music enhances the overall menacing atmosphere, effectively sending chills down the spine of viewers. The suburban location beautifully contrasts with the grim narrative, creating a strange yet fitting setting for the film.

Unlike many modern horror films, "WTF!" doesn't rely solely on jump scares or excessive blood and gore to evoke fear. It intensely focuses on storytelling and works diligently on building a creepy and suspenseful narrative. Herro keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with constant switch-ups in the plot, exploring the depths of human fear and survival instincts. Its narrative style brings in elements of real-life horror as it portrays violence in the backdrop of college life and parties, disturbingly resonating with some real-life incidents.

The film successfully intertwines the themes of past trauma, the fear of the unknown, psychological ramifications of horrifying experiences, and the price of survival. Additionally, it will keep you guessing about the true nature of the threat, whether it's a human or a supernatural force—raising questions about the blurred lines between reality and hallucinations.

In conclusion, WTF! is a thrilling ride that promises to keep you intrigued and terrified, showcasing the essence of survival horror genre via intensely suspenseful narrative and heart-thumping moments. It relies heavily on its strong storyline, complemented by excellent performances from the lead actors. The movie brings in a fresh perspective to traditional horror filming, making it a welcome addition to the genre, especially for fans of films that combine psychological drama with elements of unabated horror.