2022 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Five friends, Jules (Jillian Frank), Leader (Destini Stewart), Willow (Sophie Bawks-Smith), Vicky (Mari Geraghty), and Millie (Rowan Wales) decide that it’s time for change. The girls head out of town, only telling their families and significant others by way of written letters, and they now anticipate great things for their futures. As they head to an undisclosed location, the girls soon realize that life is far more difficult than they initially anticipated, and hardship is sure to follow them wherever they go. Honeycomb sees the friends face their troubles head on, but nothing comes without consequences.
The music present throughout Honeycomb reminds me somewhat of what you’d hear in Deliverance. The almost ever-present sounds are ominous, and probably should be calming, but Max Graham creates unease with the film’s soundtrack in a uniquely captivating way. Hearing the sometimes whiny noises in the foreground, hanging heavily over the heads of the ensemble cast, reminds viewers that something is coming–and by the sound of it that something isn’t good. Graham develops purposeful meaning and dimension to Honeycomb with his choices regarding the soundtrack–and the constant fear that the sound brings with it makes the film exceedingly better.
Honeycomb is a twisted combination of Midsommar and Lord of the Flies. Twisted morals, insane rituals, spine-chilling visuals, and blood and gore make up a unique film that combines genres and reimagines other highly-regarded pieces of cinema. Honeycomb is unrelentingly uncomfortable through its music, visuals, and sets. With the never-ending uncomfortability, viewers are never given a reason to sit back and relax, constantly held on the edge of their seats. The reality is that Honeycomb will stress you out from beginning to end, and that it will likely appeal to a niche group of individuals. The film is not for the faint of heart, and it’s likely, regardless of whether or not you enjoy this film, you will feel some level of anxiety throughout.
I’m incredibly impressed by what such a low-budget film is able to accomplish, as the audio and visuals are superb. Beyond that however, the writing of Avalon Fast and Emmett Roiko is absolutely incredible. The visuals are harrowing, the music deafening, but the ability of Fast and Roiko to play on the emotional fears of their viewers is as good as anything I’ve seen before. The idea of trust plays a pivotal role in the development and the reception of Honeycomb. “Who can I trust?” is a question that haunts everyone, as the world is never truly sure about who is and who isn’t trustworthy. As Honeycomb progresses, this fear is explored and exploited in detail, and the harsh realities of the world in which we live rise to the surface and eventually boil over.
Again, Honeycomb is unrelenting in terms of antagonizing its viewers. The power of each and every aspect of this film reaches viewers and emits a frequency of fear that lingers like dense fog–effectively engulfing viewers in that fear. With as unrelenting and powerfully terrifying Honeycomb is, I can’t see it being anything less than a hit.
Directed by Avalon Fast.
Written by Avalon Fast & Emmett Roiko.
Starring Rowan Wales, Jillian Frank, Destini Stewart, Sophie Bawks-Smith, Mari Geraghty, Jaris Wales, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
Σχόλια