The Overlook: Kristie

(imdb.com)

As promised, here is "The Overlook" article on the slasher film, Kristy. Here's a fun fact, this movie and this entire section typically can be found on Netflix! Fun and easy right? The reason I don't have this and the "Best of Netflix" section share one title is simply because "The Overlook" opens up the possibility to do articles on movies not found on Netflix. I'm not so sure what those movies are but we'll see.

Anyway, onto Kristy.

Kristy follows the story of a girl named Justine who is stalked and attacked by a gang of videotaping cultists during Thanksgiving break. The movie begins with Justine, played by Haley Bennett (most recently the film adaption of The Girl on the Train), deciding to stay on campus while her peers go off to see their family and friends. Then what started as a eerily quiet night quickly becomes a nightmare when a run-in with a woman named Violet, played by Ashley Greene (Twilight), turns confrontational. Turns out, Violet is a part of a bigger plan that commits ritual murders for a website focused on killing "Kristy." The movie plays out with a typical, but thrilling, cat-and-mouse game where Justine becomes a formidable foe against her masked assailants.

Kristy is one of the best under-the-radar horror films I've seen in a while. As a classic slasher, this film never tries to be anything more than what it is; a confident and terrifying hunt. While never breaking barriers or attempting to accomplish any transcendent goal, Kristy is a strong entry into the disappearing subgenre. With jump scares paired with atmospheric tension, Kristy is perfect to watch in a dark secluded place.

One of the film's biggest strengths is in its acting. For both Bennett and Greene, their turns as target and killer are outstanding. The pair work well together and instantly elevate scenes past any point of mediocrity. Another great aspect of the movie is it's ability to create tension and strike fear into its viewers. Like any indie horror film, I definitely had doubts that this movie would be any sort of thrill ride. Boy, was I wrong. I recall jumping multiple times as I watched and can vouch for being frightened by her travels through dark hall ways and doors.

If I was to note any cons of this movie, the masks worn by the fellow member of the gangs would be it. I don't know what they were supposed to be, but tinfoil is never in style. The mask is a calling card of a lot of slasher films and these did not work. Something about the purposeful cheapness of the mask also made the film seem cheaply made. Even with a small budget, I have a hard time imagining that tinfoil masks were the best route to go. But really, this is my one notable criticism.

Before Kristy was on Netflix, I had literally no idea it existed. Despite being invested in the horror genre prior to its 2015 premiere on Lifetime, this modern horror gem is a surprisingly good and grounded product of the often melodramatic network. I recommend Kristy to literally anyone asking for suggestions. On the horror subreddit, to friends and even to strangers, I feel like this movie should receive a little more recognition than it has. Sure it's not anything new, but for people wanting a clean, classic slasher with little moral depth, Kristy does the trick.