A well-known and highly-regarded health and wellness influencer, Lacey (Jessica Bishop) invites some of her followers to her home in order for them to overcome personal struggles and traumas. When they arrive at The Willowbrook, however, Lacey is not all that the world believed her to be–and their view of the public figure begins to change drastically. Quickly things shift from trying to survive drugs and alcohol to trying to survive the daunting reality that exists at the manor.
Sound always plays an important role in filmmaking. It can make or break a film depending on how realistic it is–but sometimes the absence of sound plays an even bigger role in filmmaking, and that’s what happens here in The Willowbrook. The sound itself is beautiful, and it helps to capture the essence of each and every scene throughout the course of the film–but it’s the moments of silence, ones with no score, that work the best for the film. As characters speak with one another, as the actors do a spectacular job of conveying emotion, that absence of sound strengthens the intense situations, keeping the film grounded and honest. It’s in these moments, even with the rest of the beauty that exists throughout The Willowbrook, that plays the most pivotal role in the development of the film.
The Willowbrook has a diverse cast, ranging from drug addicts to semi-crazy rockstars. With that, it’s incredibly important that casting be as near perfect as possible. Bishop is very much the film’s lead–and while she’s attractive, she has this ability to turn on an intense creepiness that works to guide the film’s intensity. She really is the best choice to lead this film, and part of what makes her so good is the fact that she’s surrounded with such a remarkably talented cast. The person who most intrigues me is Christian Olivo (Adam). He’s tasked with playing both the film’s rock and the wild boy type character. Throughout the majority of The Willowbrook, Adam is wild, odd, incapable of making appropriate conversation with others–and he does such a wonderful job of conveying this throughout. However, as The Willowbrook moves forward, Adam shifts into something far more important. He ultimately becomes the voice of reason in the film, and it’s astounding how well Olivo is able to play both parts so well. Viewers can see the emotion in his eyes, in his every movement really–and his ability to be so well rounded throughout the course of the film is both breathtaking and incredibly entertaining.
I’m so impressed with the dialogue, because it’s so honest and real. Again, Adam is incredibly important to the story, and his initial awkwardness reminds me of so many people struggling with social anxiety in the real world. HIs inability to correctly read people or the situations in which he finds himself speaks to a wide number of viewers, and the honesty in the words that he speaks simply make The Willowbrook even better. The writing of Zach Koepp is astounding, and it’s so wonderfully put together.
There’s an intensity that transcends the entirety of The Willowbrook. Every aspect of the film, from the acting to the sound, and the lighting to the cinematography, plays a pivotal role in how viewers interpret the intensity. And, while we already know why things are so intense, these aspects pull us along, constantly rekindling this intensity–and it never fails to entertain. The perfect marriage of each and every one of these aspects causes anxiety, uncomfortability, and more–and it works so well in helping to develop this perpetually intense film. The Willowbrook keeps viewers on the edges of their seats throughout, never relenting, never giving them a second to get comfortable.
The film’s finale doesn’t contain the ferocity that I had hoped for, that I think is needed to effectively round out this wonderful film. With that being said, however, I think that The Willowbrook is much more about the journey than the destination. Did I want a slightly different conclusion? Sure–but it doesn’t hinder the overall product.
The Willowbrook is just about everything that you could hope for in a horror film. It’s intense, it plays with the boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable, and it manages to employ a tinge of comedy throughout that, while things still remain intense, allows the film to remain even keeled enough as not to send viewers over the edge. The brilliant use of sound throughout The Willowbrook kicks the film up a notch, and what Olivo brings to the table simply allows the film to soar and find great success. I keep saying it, and it’s because it’s the truth, I’m impressed by so many aspects of The Willowbrook, and it’s one of this year’s hidden gems.
Written & Directed by Zach Koepp.
Starring Jessica Bishop, Erin Day, Lawrence J. Hughes, Chris Boudreaux, Christian Olivo, Mar Sudac, Jay White, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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