Don't Blink (2014)

Synopsis

Ten people arrive at a secluded mountain resort to find it completely deserted. With no gas for the return trip, the visitors are forced to stay and investigate the mystery surrounding the abandoned lodge.

Review

Going into this - based on the synopsis - I really was expecting a slasher. The description raises the "party people in the middle of nowhere encounter inbred cannibal red necks". Nope. This is not that. Beginning with, well, okay, "party people in the middle of nowhere" - we are introduced to a group of friends travelling to a resort. The implication is that the film stars Mena Suvari - however this is very much an ensemble piece - and good for it too.

When they arrive at the resort it appears abandoned. This is where the film veers away from expectation. Mysterious messages are found, but no people, and no bodies. Even the cover (above) has the bloody hand print in the center of the sign. No, none of that. Just deserted.

No spoilers for this one - so that's where I stop with the plot.

Writer / Director, Travis Oates (4Cast), pulls something out of the bag here. Subverting expectation from the very start Oates gets some fantastic performances from his cast - all while delivering some amazing visuals and tension-to-the-point-of-pooping scenes.

Stand out performances come from Zack Ward (Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness) - the moral antagonist of the piece, Joanne Kelly (Warehouse 13), and Brian Austin Green (Anger Management).

Don't Blink is an amazing piece of film. It's tense nature and lack of horror tropes makes it stand out from the crowd, however the plot and pacing does not give away all the answers. It's another more cerebral horror that I've had the pleasure of seeing recently - but I can see some people disliking the lack of spoon-feeding. Personally I found it extremely pleasing and damn good watch.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to talk about the film after - or even read plot theories online. For me, it was just a much needed, refreshing change of pace.