Last Straw review: A captivating nightmare that’ll keep you invested until the end

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As a connoisseur of horror films with a penchant for the offbeat and gritty, I must say that “Last Straw” has left quite an impression on me. This is not your run-of-the-mill survival thriller; it’s a rollercoaster ride through a desolate diner in the dead of night. The atmospheric setting, reminiscent of a bygone era, is both eerie and captivating, a testament to the directorial debut of Alan Scott Neal and the writing prowess of Taylor Sardoni.

The movie titled “Last Straw” centers around a character named Nancy Osborne, portrayed by Jessica Belkin (known for roles in “Hunt Club,” “Death Link,” and “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”), who takes up the night shift job at her father’s diner. From the get-go, the movie’s tense ambiance immediately captivates viewers.

In a quaint, vintage diner that exudes an old-fashioned charm, the stage is set for an entertaining throwback experience – ideal for this particular movie. The film itself immerses us in its ambiance right from the start, taking around 20 minutes to establish the mood. Notably, it’s the debut work of both director Alan Scott Neal and writer Taylor Sardoni in their respective feature filmmaking careers.

In the horror movie, we largely follow Belkin’s journey as she battles through terrifying ordeals to make it inside the diner. For every scene, she delivers an intense and unwavering effort. She is like a natural element, moving swiftly from apprehension to complete panic yet always hitting her marks perfectly. Her portrayal of the character differs from typical horror heroines, and I believe viewers will strongly connect with her powerful performance.

In the movie “MaXXXine” and “Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever,” Taylor Kowalski, who acted alongside Belkins, delivers a standout performance. He portrays a compelling counterpart to Belkin, infusing the character Jake with profound emotional layers that significantly strengthen the film as a whole.

Instead of starting with a bang, the film takes its time to build up tension in the beginning. But once the action starts, it moves swiftly and intensely, like a rollercoaster ride. The peaceful diner transforms into a high-stakes chase between Nancy and her masked tormentors, creating an unexpected yet seamless shift in mood.

Sardoni skillfully balances a tranquil survival-thriller atmosphere with pulse-pounding intensity in his writing. The movie doesn’t just switch gears tonally, but it daringly alters the viewpoint midway through, shifting focus from the protagonist to the antagonist. This unexpected move gives the second half of the film a thrilling twist on the home invasion subgenre of horror.

In summary, Neal and Sardoni have created a brutal and unsympathetic siege horror film titled “Last Straw“. Although it doesn’t break new ground and has some flaws, its intriguing twists make it hard to look away. If the harsh, dark storyline doesn’t captivate you, the powerful performance of Jessica Belkin as the leading lady is sure to do so. This film, being a first-time feature from the writer/director duo, shows great promise and I hope it gains popularity among indie cinema enthusiasts.

Last Straw is now showing in select theaters and on VOD.

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2024-09-20 22:25