Review: We Go On

(imdb.com)

The horror genre is broad; often seeping into an array of other industries in an attempt to amass critical acclaim and draw in new audiences. Indie films like Into the Forest are heralded by critics and sometimes lauded by audiences who felt duped by these types of movies' lack of straight up scares. But, the definition of horror is broad and making the club exclusive to only a certain line is only detrimental to the genre. That's why films like We Go On are important.

While on the surface, We Go On may seem like a horror movie - it follows a man who picks up a ghost after witnessing his corpse - this film doesn't follow any particular formula. It's more of a character piece drama that observes a character so bent on living his life in fear that he finds it hard to exist. And, while the decomposing ghost he often witnesses is unsettling, it's not overtly terrifying; and it doesn't have to be. The Shudder exclusive We Go On is a really well-done, small movie. It's got a quizzical plot and a strong direction that sometimes becomes muddled but, definitely pulls through.


We Go On stars Clark Freeman (YellowBrickRoad) as Mark, a mentally fragile man looking for proof of an afterlife. Annette O'Toole (Smallville) plays his caring mother, Charlotte, and Jay Dunn plays the overdosed ghost, Nelson. Freeman is an interesting casting choice and one that may confuse some viewers, but for those open to his character's struggles, will be a welcome change to the typical idea of what a mentally unstable man would look like. On the outside, you'd expect Freeman's Mark to be a strong-willed character but the filmmakers make a point to showcase him as especially frail, constantly needing his mother's reassurance. At the very least, it's interesting.


We Go On isn't the scariest movie. But, what it lacks in scares it makes up for in an interesting plot and good acting. As Mark sets out to meet candidates who can prove an afterlife, the audience encounters three very different forms of paranormal experts. The combination of them and the mythologies surrounding each could be expanded on in a better world, but each is welcome additions to horror films which typically focus on one. The film takes a little while to establish itself, but once the hoaxes are over and Mark stumbles on the body, things truly pick up and make for a solid, if not at all a little unsatisfying ending.


Overall, We Go On may be too much to swallow for some. There are random scatter shots that disrupt the film's entertaining and original concept, but ultimately for those willing to barrel through, there is certainly enough to appreciate. Freeman is an unexpected surprise and an effective lead, the plot line is compelling enough and there aren't really strong enough flaws to do too much damage. We Go On isn't the best, but for a movie that's trying to do something different, it's certainly worth it. 6 out of 10.