Pitfall Review: A Wilderness Survival Film Hampered By A Sloppy Story
Horror Movie Reviews
Posted 2 minutes ago
Plot:
A young man gets separated from his friends during a 3-day hike in the woods and falls into a deep pit of spikes, impaling his leg. He soon discovers that his fall was no accident, as a relentless hunter is after him and his friends, determined to kill them all.
Review:
Pitfall is set to make its festival debut at ScreamFest, and I had the opportunity to watch an early screener. While I acknowledge that some elements, such as unfinished special effects, might have influenced my overall perception, I'll strive to provide an unbiased evaluation.
The film follows a group of friends on their hiking adventure, but what begins as a seemingly ordinary story quickly takes a dark turn. The hunter's relentless pursuit adds a layer of tension and horror, making for some intense and memorable scenes. However, the narrative's execution leaves much to be desired.
The story introduces a basic premise with great potential for suspense and thrilling deaths. Yet, it attempts to incorporate too many elements, leading to a disjointed experience. Strange narrative choices, such as using already known dramatic beats to build up the climax, and a random subplot that fails to add depth, contribute to the film's inconsistencies.
Character Analysis:
One of the only compelling characters is Richard Harmon, who portrays a natural charisma. The rest of the cast feels underdeveloped, with little personality or depth. Alexandra Essoe, despite being a favorite, has a frustrating character to play. The inclusion of a sibling relationship and the ongoing drama surrounding their parents' death adds complexity but quickly veers into absurdity.
Randy Couture, playing the Hunter, brings a sense of violence and intensity to the role. His portrayal is reminiscent of Jason Voorhees, but with a unique twist. The character's origins are hinted at but not fully explored, leaving room for interpretation. The film struggles to decide whether the Hunter is a slasher villain or a hermit with a penchant for killing.
A secondary plot involving another group running from the hunter feels like an excuse for more deaths, typical of slasher movies. The characters in this subplot lack development, serving merely as running gags. The practical deaths, however, are impressive and well-executed.
Narrative Disjointedness:
Pitfall's narrative takes an erratic turn, incorporating dream sequences and secondary plots to an excessive degree. The film would have been more impactful if it had focused solely on the group of friends being hunted by the crazy hunter. As it stands, the story feels overcrowded and fails to deliver a satisfying experience.
Conclusion:
Pitfall has the potential to be an engaging survival horror film, but its execution falls short due to a messy narrative and underdeveloped characters. It's a film that might be easily forgotten, leaving viewers wanting more from its premise.
Pitfall will be screening at ScreamFest on October 15th.
