Review: Desolation

(imdb.com)

IFC Midnight has become a sable in the horror industry; churning out its share of fantastic flicks and the occasional dud. Luckily though, for fans constantly looking for the next horror film, IFC Midnight delivers in plethora. And for that, horror addicts should be thankful. One of their latest releases, Desolation, finds its light in the characters who bounce off of each other perfectly.

Following a recently widowed woman, her son and best friend on a hiking trip gone wrong, Desolation takes home invasion deep into the wilderness for a slow-burn that's somewhat tepid but unsettling nonetheless. Desolation stars Jaimi Paige (Peacock) as Abby, the mother of Sam, played by Toby Nichols (Iron Fist). The film also features Alyshia Ochse (True Detective) as Jen and Claude Duhamel (Valentine) as the mysterious stranger the trio encounters.

Jen is obvious cannon fodder to bolster the otherwise impossibly tiny kill count, but it's a shame since the actress is fantastic; a slightly wilder single woman whose confidence is undeniable. Her chemistry with the Paige's Abby - and to an extent Nichols's Sam - truly makes this movie. Without her finesse in establishing a truly special relationship onscreen, this movie could've gone a lot worse.

The plot, while incredibly simple is executed mostly well. The mysterious hiker could have been fleshed out more, but in a real-life case scenario, the victims would never figure out why he does what he ends up doing to them. In some ways, this subtle slow-burn may have actually worked even better if the protagonists received an even brighter ending. The lack of bloodshed could have been more effective had it been even more limited, since what little was shown seemed less like a choice than a fear of pulling the trigger.

 

Ultimately though, Desolation and its short runtime are definitely worth checking out. For the bond between the characters alone, this movie brims with a type of light so often missing from these types of slasher-invasion films. Each of the three is incredibly likeable and noteworthy, even if the fourth member of the cast remains completely elusive. Desolation is simple, taut and other than some flaws, mostly maintains interest. 6 out 10.