What is a more perfect time to watch a searing thriller set during a raging snowstorm? A wintry atmosphere engulfs both the audience and its characters in a sticky web of intrigue, secrets, and murder. Writer/director Kyle Butenhoff emulates the thrillers of the 90s in this endlessly entertaining chamber piece. At first, the complex relationship between a husband and wife quietly unravels as true intentions are revealed. Their situation only grows tenser by the minute when two more characters are added into the mix. A surprisingly potent little thriller, Laced carefully balances the line between genres on its way to indie greatness.
Molly (Dana Mackin) cooks dinner for her snarky husband, Charlie (Kyle Butenhoff), even as it becomes clear that her brother and Charlie’s best friend, Austin (Zach Tinker), will not be making it through the storm. Before long, the film takes a major turn as a surefire poisoning definitely does not go as planned. Charlie was supposed to die a quick and painless death. Now, Molly and her mistress, Victoria (Hermione Lynch), are forced to clean up the mess.
Each relationship in Laced plays out in a carefully orchestrated way, revealing more information the further the situation spirals out of control. In this manner, what initially feels rather one-dimensional grows a hell of a spine. Nerdy sports-obsessed brother, abused wife taken too far, crazed husband, and classy lesbian lover—if it initially seems that aforementioned cast fits these roles, by the conclusion, their fears, doubts, and secrets have all been laid bare. These are not caricatures, especially not as played by this captivating four-person cast.
Admittedly, the only reason this film was on my radar was because of character actor Zach Tinker. He caught my attention in choose-your-own-adventure horror game The Quarry, where his natural charisma and comedic timing got a hell of a workout. Here, Tinker plays a very different type of role, but it calls on similar dramatic chops once the terror of the scenario properly settles in. If I came only for Tinker, I am so glad I stayed for the rest.
Laced traces the tensions between characters, lining up with their subsequent hidden secrets forced to rise to the surface. Sometimes it takes a literal storm to come to terms with harsh realities. With low expectations, I was shocked at how good this movie actually was. During a time where consuming mass amounts of awards contenders without end has become the norm, Laced was a nice breather that showcases the power of indie filmmaking at its finest.
Don’t forget to double check that the food isn’t Laced—coming from Dark Sky Films to digital platforms and Video on Demand on January 12th.
