ABC Film Challenge – Horror – D – Don’t Blink (2014)

By Newguy

Director: Travis Oates

Writer: Travis Oates (Screenplay)

Starring: Mena Suvari, Brian Austin Green, Joanne Kelly, Robert Picardo, Fiona Gubelmann, Zack Ward

Plot: Ten people arrive at a secluded mountain resort to find it completely deserted. With no gas for the return trip, the visitors are forced to stay and investigate the mystery surrounding the abandoned lodge.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Good Mystery, Not Solved

Story: Don’t Blink starts as our group of friends including Tracy (Suravi), Jack (Green), Claire (Kelly) and Alex (Ward) arrive at the ‘Last Stop’ lodge during the off season in a remote mountain top location, but the lodge is abandoned, food left on the table in a condition where it looks like everyone just vanished.

When the friends start disappearing from right under the noses they try to remain together but things only continue to get worse as the friends start to turn on themselves as the answer just continue to add to the mystery.

Thoughts on Don’t Blink

Characters – Tracy is the partner of Jack, she wants to use the weekend to announce big personal news as well as enjoying her time with friends. Jack is the partner of Tracy he also has an ex on the trip and must take control of the group keeping them calm when the friends start going missing. Claire provides the brains behind the logical side of everything going on as she understands what could have caused the problems. Alex is the loose cannon of the group being the panic side of everything, while the rest all fit the generic decisions that don’t go down well.

PerformanceMena Suvari is arguable the biggest name in the movie, she gives us a solid performance but doesn’t reach the levels we know of her, Joanne Kelly is most famous for her work in Warehouse 13 and this film doesn’t show her in the best light following the strong female lead from that show. Brian Austin Green is solid too and does bring the calm when needed.

StoryThe story revolves around the ten friends who find themselves in an abandoned lodge where they get picked off one by one as they just vanish. The story does test the friendships as everything unfolds and the pasts bring up moments that can have fingers pointed in all directions but it could be fair to say if you want a full answer you might not be satisfied by the end.

Horror/MysteryThe horror side of the film comes from seeing you friends just vanish from literally under your nose, the mystery about it does point in one direction but we don’t learn the truth.

SettingsThe whole film is set in and around the lodge, they have no petrol which does create the isolation needed for the film.

Scene of the Movie – Amelia’s disappearance is sudden and shocking.

That Moment That Annoyed Me Casting Mena Suvari only to get rid of her within the first 20 minutes.

Final ThoughtsThis is a very good mystery film but doesn’t give enough answers to what has been going on.

Overall: Good mystery that needed to be solved.

Rating

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