Weak and vulnerable Darlene (a spot-on portrayal by Ingrid Kavelaars) and her sweet daughter Victoria (a fine and affecting performance by Hannah Lochner) seek refuge at an isolated rural safe house for abused women that's run by the strict and tough, but folksy and supportive Bea (splendidly played by Kathleen Quinlan). Things get dicey when Bea proves to be a total lunatic with an especially dangerous influence on the impressionable Victoria. Director Melanie Orr and screenwriter William Bell eschew cheap scares and excessive graphic gore to instead put a welcome and refreshing emphasis on the well-drawn characters and a quietly sinister atmosphere that becomes more increasingly creepy and unnerving as the story unfolds towards a chilling surprise conclusion which packs a powerful emotional punch right to the gut. Better still, the plot itself is firmly grounded in a thoroughly plausible everyday reality which in turn makes this picture even more potent and unsettling. Moreover, there's a disturbing and provocative subtext on female empowerment that's taken to a certain brutal, yet still logical extreme. The excellent acting from the top-notch cast rates as another significant asset: Quinlan is genuinely scary as one seriously crazy and twisted lady, Kavelaars and Lochner are equally impressive in their demanding roles, and David Sparrow contributes an engaging turn as amiable deputy Hallam. The crisp cinematography by Marcus Elliott and Brendan Steacy gives the film a bright sparkling look that neatly contrasts the grim subject matter. The spare and moody score by Eric Cadesky and Nick Dyer is subtle and effective without ever becoming obtrusive. Well worth seeing.
Review of Harm's Way
