Review: Fender Bender

(imdb.com)

There seems to be a large, vague abyss as to when horror fans are going to be getting a new slasher that they deserve. From the classics of the 80s to the revival in the mid-2000s, these horror movies that feature a humanoid killer are often panned by critics and loved by horror fanatics. Attempts by indie filmmakers have been somewhat bland at best and it does feel like a true to spirit slasher is never coming. Fender Bender doesn't satisfy that hopeful whim.


Following a girl stalked by the man she previously got in a fender bender with, Fender Bender begins with the best intentions before becoming a muddled mess. An opening sequence featuring the first victim of the killer, gives plenty of the chase so many fans are compelled to watch, but the scene is short. In fact, it's actually a shame the film's opening character; played by Cassidy Freeman (Longmire) isn't the center of the film. She's a far superior and believable actress then the teens that take over the screen. But, this isn't her film and her replacements are Makenzie Vega, who stars as Hillary, the quintessential final girl, and Dre Davis (Pretty Little Liars) and Kelsey Leos Montoya (The Guest) as her best friends, Rachel and Erik.


Fender Bender leaves a lot to yearn for. From some questionable character choices that would make even the silliest of slashers cringe to plot points worthy of a dumpster, this movie feels desperately lost. Hillary's parents are inexplicably difficult in a way that feels far too obstructive to be the film. They're voices sound kind and their willingness to give their daughter a cell phone despite having the viewer believe they're atypically controlling feels disjointed and thoughtless. It's a difficult balance that the film never real figures out how to tackle; these parents aren't loving, but strict - they're just awkwardly mean.


Just as the film begins to redeem its issues and setbacks caused by the angry parents plot point, it starts to fall apart all over again; entering an unsalvageable stage. When Hillary's two friends show up, it seems predictable but as if the film is picking itself up, preparing for a straightforward romp that would feel plain but enjoyable. Unfortunately, the too-close-for-comfort insurance woman Hillary spoke to immediately following the fender bender calls again, with some news. She calls so late at night to explain a ridiculous story that she would have never have told Hillary in any universe, real or otherwise. Even for a movie, this part is absolutely unwarranted and distractingly painful. It ruins the movie for every scene after it by removing the viewer from the experience. It's not comical or so-bad-it's-good, it's just bad. Story progression is important, but in this case, connecting the opening sequence with the ongoing of Hillary's survival feels unnecessary - especially when done so blatantly wrong.


For fans craving a slasher film in what seems to be an empty abyss in modern horror, they'll have to wait a little longer. While Fender Bender offers glimmers of hope and nostalgia, the movie's straightforward fashion is quickly destroyed by uncharacteristically off-putting parents, a soundtrack similar to that of a 90s-elementary school PSA and moments of outrageous absurdity. 3 out 10.

 

Best in Show: Horror Shorts (Pt. I of II)

Spending far too much time mining YouTube as well as various other sites listing greatest short horror films, the list below sums up the scariest and best horror shorts out there. Regardless of cinematography, quality of acting or the end result these are the strongest horror films for a quick jolt or a long-term haunt. Whereas many of the videos I found pulled more toward art than toward horror, the videos below are truly scary.

10. Ghost Car

Iconic is an understatement. If you went to school in the internet age, chances are one of your friends showed you this video as a prank. Regardless of how it has stood the test of time (it hasn't), this "car commercial" is perhaps one of the greatest short horror films out there. It's so simple and yet, I can guarantee witnessing it brings back all of the now comical nostalgia of youth. This video isn't fantastic in any way, but it most certainly did the job if you got someone to sit down and watch it, especially if they hadn't seen the title or read the description.

9. Pictured

I placed Pictured on this list for one technique: its use of a shaking picture frame. The acting in this short film isn't great, the eventual graphics aren't either - but, what is great is the moment in which the young woman whips toward the picture frame to see it in motion, something out of frame propelling it. It's one of those moments that strike a deep chord. Pictured falls apart outside of this, but  the work done by a shaking picture frame is worthy enough to scare people the same way mirrors have since the beginning of time.

8. Tuck Me In

Tuck Me In is a disturbing little film. While not the end all be all of horror, this short does enough of a good job to make adults question whether or not they feel comfortable checking under the bed themselves. One of the best parts about Tuck Me In is its ability to create strong suspense within a limited amount of time. While some horror movies take entire runtimes to create an atmosphere of seat-grabbing, this short does it in a matter of seconds, and by the inconclusive ending, audiences will feel severely frightened and desperately unsatisfied.

7. Cop Cam

This short feels very conventional, but it's carry through is powerful enough to earn a spot on this list. After acting on a 911 alert, a cop enters a home and soon realizes there is more at work within than a typical emergency. There's little establishment, but the difficulties of this are overcome by the first-person perspective of this dark film. Cop Cam is stylized almost like a horror video game in that it truly immerses the viewer in whatever world it exists in. Definitely one to watch in the dark.

 6. Box (Begins at 3:42)

As one of the 3:07 videos partnered by Vice and The Conjuring, Box is a strikingly short and horrifying video with very little context and plenty to give someone nightmares. It's directed by Ti West and features no plot, tons of vintage style and a creepy clown that gives It a run for its money. It's the type of gif-able short that does better in a series than it possibly would as a standalone video, but after seeing it, one can expect to be severely unsettled.