A horror movie actress gets stuck in her hotel's freight elevator with a seemingly shy and reserved cameraman inside stalker, an ultrathin thriller that ebbs and flows with palpable tension. It realizes the terrifying scenario of being locked in a confined space with a creepy stranger. Claustrophobia becomes the least of their problems when the elevator threatens to fall. But something about the situation arouses worse suspicions when previous events come to light. There are plenty of twists and turns as the characters struggle to deal with their predicament and the unknown other. The public may see the big reveal coming, but the ride is enjoyable nonetheless.
Rose Hepburn (Sophie Skelton) arrives late one stormy night at her shoddy hotel. There is no one at reception and the main lift is out of order. She ends the conversation with her sister to find out how to get to the room; After all, Rose isn't going up 13 flights of stairs. She decides to take the freight elevator.
A hand blocks the door before it closes. A stocky man with glasses and bags enters the elevator. Rose asks which floor, and he sheepishly asks for the 14th. The elevator comes to an abrupt stop and begins to jerk. A panicked Rose presses the alarm. Nothing happens... She desperately tries the intercom. It is broken. Her phone has no signal.
Rose & Daniel
Rose turns to the man in fear. She recognizes him from the film set. Daniel (Stuart Brennan) introduces himself as a B-roll cinematographer. Incredibly, he doesn't have a phone to try and call for help. Rose and Daniel look around uneasily. Their fear increases as the elevator continues to rattle. Rose begins to hyperventilate and a stuttering Daniel tries to calm her down. They may have to wait until morning to be discovered. Rose tries light-hearted conversation to ease their discomfort. Alice, the film's previous star, has mysteriously disappeared. What does Daniel think happened to her?
Skelton transfixes as Rose. She is an attractive woman alone with a strange man. Neither of them knows where they are. Her nerves are frayed. She cannot handle small spaces for long periods of time. Daniel isn't exactly forthcoming; his shy personality is not reassuring, and his attempts to ease her anxiety are of no help. She apologizes for snapping at him. They have to work together.
Director Steve Johnson (Convergence) uses his extensive experience as a cameraman to great effect. stalker takes place in the elevator with fleeting black and white flashbacks. The interaction between Rose and Daniel is central. However, a single set becomes tiresome unless variables change. Fortunately, Johnson cuts to the elevator shaft, constantly switching the lights. The blinking of the overhead light, red warning signals and different height perspectives sell more and more danger. Environment creates the mood for actors, and stalker creates an unnerving one in which the characters transition with their surrounding structure. It's all very realistic and believable.
An angry climax
The film dives into the second act for a vicious climax. This may have been intentional to soften the audience for heavy blows to come. The twists and turns aren't entirely clear, but rational thinking evokes skepticism, so viewers can quickly identify that something sinister is brewing. Skelton, best known for the hit series Foreignergives an impressive performance. stalker blows on her able shoulders.
stalker is a Stronghold Studios production. It will be released in theaters and VOD on March 31 by Gravitas Ventures.
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