Alone with You – Review [Fantastic Fest] (3/5)

ALONE WITH YOU is a horror movie that will play with your sanity as it slowly drives its main character crazy. Screened at Fantastic Fest 2021, this movie features an LGBTQ main character and plays out mostly in one place. Read our full Alone with You movie review here!

ALONE WITH YOU is a horror movie wrapped around a mystery. The question quickly becomes: What the hell is going on?

Both for the main character of the movie and you as the viewer. And I don’t mean this in any bad way. However, it does drag on longer than I would like. It weakens the storytelling when we’re going this much around in circles. Due to most of the movie playing out in the same apartment, you might get a bit claustrophobic.

However much the mind games do work for this dark and sinister story, it could have been even stronger with some tough love editing. But hey, maybe that’s just me being a tad too impatient – admittedly, it is entirely possible. Despite also being a slow-burn fan, I am not the most patient movie-watcher.

Continue reading our Alone with You movie review below.

Watch this for Emily Bennett – and Barbara Crampton

To be clear, Barbara Crampton does not have a lot of screen time in Alone with You. However, she does play a big part in key scenes and first comes on the screen early on. Also, Barbara Crampton truly is that iconic horror actor who can appear in a scene and leave a huge mark. Her work in this movie is a perfect example as was the horror movie Superhost.

DON’T MISS OUT ON

Our review of the Shudder horror movie Superhost here >

A movie that also had an extremely strong performance by another woman as well! Just like Emily Bennett is the stand-out star of this movie with the most screen time by far. It’s a good thing then that Emily Bennett delivers a vulnerable and sharp performance that keeps you engaged. Almost desperately so as her character seems to succumb to madness.

I really can’t say too much about this movie without giving away spoilers. I do want to mention that the girlfriend of Emily Bennett’s character is portrayed by Emma Myles, who I found strangely familiar. Turns out it’s because Emma Myles was on Orange is the New Black as Leanne Taylor.

As the best friend of our main character, we see Dora Madison (Bliss). Yet another actor delivering a strong performance on a second screen. Both Dora Madison and Barbara Crampton only appear in this movie by talking to the main protagonist via phone or computer. Yes, this story is perfect for maintaining social distance in believable ways!

Alone with You premiered at Fantastic Fest 2021

This new horror movie was co-written and co-directed by Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks. Yes, the very same Emily Bennett who plays the all-important lead character. The result is definitely impressive on most levels. I just felt like this was a super-strong short film that had been turned into a feature film.

Okay, I’m being too tough on this movie, but it is only because I saw a lot of potential in the first half. In other words, I would absolutely recommend watching Alone with You, if you enjoy mindf*cks. A movie such as Perry Blackshear’s When I Consume You which premiered at this year’s Fantasia is a good comparison. Though Blackshear’s is decidedly stronger!

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Our review of When I Consume You which screened during Fantasia 2021 >

Also, the Swedish movie Knocking is perhaps an even better one to compare Alone with You with. For one, both Knocking and Alone with You feature an LGBTQ woman as the main protagonist. Also, both stories play out mostly in the apartment of said character.

This one might play with your sanity in ways that get a bit irritating. However, it definitely also has something about it that kept me hooked. As strong as the ending was, it would have been stronger if the overall editing had been tighter. Also, you will definitely want to check out this one for Barbara Crampton who is always amazing!

ALONE WITH YOU had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2021 where we screened it. It will be out in North American theaters on February 4 & On Demand/Digital February 8, 2022, via Dark Star Pictures.

Details

Directors: Emily Bennett, Justin Brooks
Writers: Emily Bennett, Justin Brooks
Stars: Emily Bennett, Emma Myles, Barbara Crampton, Dora Madison, Meghan Lane