STALKER is a new thriller that also offers perfectly timed horror and comedy elements to drive its plot. This movie was previously titled Blinders and, regardless of title, works extremely well on all levels. Read our full Stalker movie review here – and definitely be sure to check it out!
STALKER is a new thriller that perfectly illustrates the dangers of social media and how vulnerable we are to stalking in general. The fact that so much of our lives are online – be it via email or online banking – also makes for a lot of weak spots in personal security.
The movie was previously titled Blinders (still is on IMDb as of writing this). Obviously, this can be interpreted in more ways than one. I won’t give away spoilers for this movie because its moments of shock and surprise are so delicious. Really, you need to go in without knowing too much. Trust me, this is one hell of a thriller treat!
Continue reading our Stalker movie review below.
Three actors make for a perfect core cast
The core cast of Stalker consists of the characters Andy, Sam, and Roger. If you’ve watched the trailer, you’ll probably already know that one is the stalker, the other is the victim, and the third is caught in the middle.
Vincent Van Horn plays Andy (or Andrew) who we follow from the beginning of the movie. For me, Vincent Van Horn made Andy the kind of character you instinctively trust and like.
Then there’s Christine Ko as Sam (or Samantha) who is just a tough and sweet girl, who sees people for who they are and is quick to interact. Christina Ko recently co-starred in the Netflix movie Tigertail (2020).
Finally, we have Michael Lee Joplin as Roger, who has some issues with boundaries. To put it mildly. The craziest thing – to me, anyway – is the fact that the Roger character seems both very familiar and realistic as well as totally out there. I have to credit Michael Lee Joplin who managed to hold the balance for this character.
In minor roles, that also have definite importance, we see actors such as Paula Jai Parker (Them), Chase Joliet (Inheritance), and Carla Valentine. The latter plays a police officer in a key scene with plenty of humor to drive home a point!
Christine Ko is pure brilliance
While I am very fond of all three actors in the core cast, I have to do a special mention of Christine Ko. Her portrayals of Sam in Stalker make me wish for a prequel that tells her story. In general, Stalker is just a slice of life with a focus on Andy (Vincent Van Horn) which I definitely enjoyed.
However, before the end credits for Stalker begin, I am confident you’ll be intrigued to know more about Christine Ko’s character Sam, as well.
Actually, the entire Stalker ending is just fantastic. I love the way the story evolves in an extremely confident manner again and again. No need to drag out the plot. Instead, you find out one thing, and then boom-boom, more elements are thrown at you so fast, you almost forget to breathe. I loved it!
Watch Stalker any way you can!
Tyler Savage is the writer and director of Stalker. And yes, he does have the coolest name which seems perfect for becoming a brilliant genre filmmaker. Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a brutal horror movie or a gorgeous horror comedy. From what we’ve seen so far, I have no doubt that he has both in him!
When we reviewed the feature film debut of Tyler Savage, we triumphantly had a headline that stated “Tyler Savage has arrived!” Well, with Stalker, he clearly shows us all that his first movie was no fluke and I can honestly say that I am crazy about his style. Both in terms of storytelling and directing. I just hope he’ll continue doing genre films so we can keep singing his praises!
What worked so well for me with this movie, was the fact that moments of pure horror and golden comedy are also included. This makes the cold hard reality of stalking come across even sharper. With a kitsch and crazy backdrop, it keeps a focus on the characters that make this movie awesome.
STALKER is out in the UK on VOD from May 21, 2021, and it will then be released on demand in the US on June 18, 2021.
Details
Director: Tyler Savage
Writers: Dash Hawkins, Tyler Savage
Stars: Christine Ko, Vincent Van Horn, Michael Lee Joplin, Rebecca Knowles, Paula Jai Parker, Chase Joliet, Donna Pieroni
Plot
In the wake of a messy break-up, Andy Escobedo decides to start fresh, relocating from Austin to Los Angeles. Eager to make new connections, he befriends Roger, an unusual rideshare driver. But when Roger’s behavior gets too strange for comfort, Andy blows him off, choosing to focus on a budding relationship with his new girlfriend, Sam. This unhinges Roger, who begins to torment Andy, ensuring that his stay in L.A. is short-lived.
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