Pod (2015)

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PodStarring Dean Cates, Brian Morvant, Lauren Ashley Carter, Larry Fessenden

Directed by Mickey Keating


You’ve got to love a film that stomps on the gas pedal right out of the gate – no beating around the bush, no delicate sense of storytelling to set up the premise – just BAM! Right in your face, here’s what we’re dealing with, now sit back, zip the lips, and get ready to be spooked. Director Mickey Keating’s Pod couldn’t lay it out any better for those with a hankerin’ for some otherworldly invasion showcasing.

As soon as the film opens, we see former soldier Martin (Morvant) attempting to hunt something in the woods, or is it hunting him? After a not-so-chance encounter with whatever was careening through the snowy forest, Smith goes into hiding, and it’s up to his brother, Ed (Cates), and reluctant burnout sister, Lyla (Carter), to travel to his home and perform an impromptu intervention for the sad soul who is suffering from PTSD.

Upon their arrival, it’s plain to see that Martin has completely gone off the rails – with a freshly-shorn hairdo and a few less teeth (thanks to some self-imposed dental work – gotta remove those alien transponders), he’s ranting incessantly about conspiracies and how multiple members of his former platoon have gone missing without a trace. He also reveals that he’s locked away one of “them” down in the basement and strictly forbids his siblings from going down there to check it out. Morvant needs to be awarded something bright and shiny for his work as the paranoid veteran – his rambling and complete sense of imbalance are the stuff of notoriety. A potent performance for sure.

The remainder of the film is balanced with a nice mix of jump-scares and moments that will have you questioning Martin’s claims – is there something down in the cellar that he captured in the woods, or has his PTSD decimated what was left of his fragile psyche? The combination of Cates and Carter works to a fault – Cates plays the non-believing brother, while Carter turns into a screaming buffoon somewhere towards the final third of the film and is rather unnerving to watch as a whole.

Keating’s directorial style relies on the “you come up with your own conclusion” gameplan – the pieces are in place, and all you have to do is assemble them for the truth – simple, but effective. Think one half creature-feature and one half serious paranoia film… that is, if what Martin endured really did happen.

Not much more can be drawn out to describe this one other than straightforward, chilling, and a presentation that provides results. Is it a perfect film? Not by a long shot , but it surely is one to watch late at night with the lights killed – recommended.

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User Rating 3.53 (15 votes)
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