Tragedy struck the Hughes family and as they attempt to reconnect with each other at their remote family cottage, another family mysteriously appears and invites themselves to dinner. From first-time director Jeremy Power Regimbal comes Replicas, a terrifyingly gripping story written by Regimbal, Justin Close and Josh Close.
Being way too nice to people waking him up in the early hours of the morning, Mark (Josh Close) is manipulated into inviting the couple causing the commotion to dinner that evening. As the night progresses, Mark, Mary (Selma Blair), and their son Brendon (Quinn Lord) become increasingly uncomfortable in their interactions with the Sakowski family, Bobby (James D’Arcy), Jane (Rachel Minor) and their son, Jared (Alex Ferris).
As the night progresses, it’s clear that the Sakowski’s are not just over for dinner as each small incident takes place, the tension builds ever so slowing with a perfect pace to keep you guessing. Even as the action starts to get going, it still keeps an even momentum as Mark and Mary react. I was especially impressed with Mary’s character, as she was vulnerable, yet strong. Selma Blair kept a good handle on the emotion and I liked that Mary never let the situation get the best of her. The best performance was Josh Close as Mark. His character reacts in ways that are extremely believable and honest. Close‘s facial expressions underscore the paralyzing circumstances and you immediately connect with his plight.
I will say that the toplessness of Selma Blair in one of the first scenes, was completely unnecessary and served no purpose within the scene or the film itself. It was gratuitous and blatant. I’m not sure what the point was, it wasn’t a sexy scene; she could have easily had a top on and it wouldn’t have changed it at all.
The score of the film is subtle and most of the scenes are without sound, making it all the more horrifying as the Hughes family is tormented. Rather than being a film where the characters make dumb mistakes, Mark and Mary make decisions that are rational and natural. This is not a film where you are annoyed at decisions made by the victims and that it really refreshing.
Rating: Fantastic psychological thriller. 9/10
Tribeca Film Festival – Replicas
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