Director: Joseph Sims-Dennett
Writer: Joseph Sims-Dennett, Josh Zammit (Screenplay)
Starring: Lindsay Farris, Stephanie King, John Jarratt, Louisa Mignone, Benedict Hardie, Tom O’Sullivan
Plot: In the grip of grief following the death of his young son, his marriage on the rocks and nearing bankruptcy, Parker reluctantly returns to work as a private investigator. Embarking on an unusual assignment to observe a woman from an abandoned apartment, Parker witnesses bizarre happenings surrounding her, unaware that the derelict building that he surveys her from has birthed a dark presence which slowly threatens to consume him.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Mind Boggling
Story: Observance starts as we follow private investigator Parker (Farris) on his latest job where he takes up residence in an abandoned building to watch over Tenneal (King). We know Parker is dealing with his own personal tragedy of the death of his own son and this job is a way to try and keep his mind busy.
As the job continues on Parker never gets to leave the apartment because Tenneal doesn’t but soon strange thing start happening. The deeper into the case Parker gets the more consumed he finds himself becoming but is it him or the apartment doing this to him and why is he being hired to watch of Tenneal?
Observance is a horror mystery that keeps the characters in one location to capture tension building on the mind of Parker. While the story does take a few twists it does stay in one direction which makes us wonder where it will end up going as we question why Parker is being paid to watch Tenneal. This is the biggest question going on through the film because we should learn this by the end but other parts of the film just push us to not knowing where anything will go. If you want a film that does keep you guessing this one really is for you.
Actor Review
Lindsay Farris: Parker is a grieving father who takes the chance to take a job to help pass the time and his job is as a private investigator. The job is simple just watch over a lady Tenneal for an unknown client but things seem to take a turn when he starts seeing things he can’t explain and he starts to question his own sanity. Lindsay has to carry this film which he does to great effect because each scene involved his character.
Stephanie King: Tenneal is the woman being watch, she seems to be just another woman that has no need to be the center of this attention and because of this she is surrounded with mystery. Stephanie is good even if she is only being watched through the film.
Support Cast: Observance has a supporting cast that come and go from what Parker sees and each one helps with the final outcome of the film.
Director Review: Joseph Sims-Dennett – Joseph gives us a horror mystery that is filled with haunting visuals as well as a story that just keeps us guessing throughout.
Horror: Observance puts our character through a nightmare situation when the routine job turns sour.
Mystery: Observance has us on edge from the first strange occurrence until the final scene of the film and we simply don’t know where it is going.
Settings: Observance keeps nearly the whole film within the apartment where Parker is working creating hi own form of cabin fever through the film.
Special Effects: Observance has great effects to show different moments of the film unfolding.
Suggestion: Observance is one for the horror fans out there to watch because the visuals alone can make this something great. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: The not knowing throughout.
Worst Part: Sadly I feel this could be a turn off too.
Scariest Scene: Hallway.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Tagline: They Are Watching
Overall: Horror mystery that keeps us guessing from start to finish.
Rating
