FANTASIA 2016: ‘The Unseen’ Review

Jo Satana will be delivering reviews from films exhibiting at the 2016 Fantasia International Film Festival!

Judging by the people lining up before The Unseen`s world premiere at Fantasia, I can tell you that at least a few have, at one point in time, probably wished they were invisible. I mean, who hasn’t? But once the novelty of hiding in public restrooms wears off (trust me, it does), what can you be left with other than that crushing feeling of solitude? Another sentiment some of those in line can relate to.

The Unseen is exactly the type of film I love discovering at Fantasia. It`s also the type of film I hate writing about because of how much of the Kool-Aid® it looks like I’ve consumed. All aboard the hype train!

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The Unseen is a stinging, intimate tribute to those of us who just want to be left alone with our struggles. Set in an isolated northern Canadian logging town, Bob Langmore is a loner who works at the mill. Unassuming, keeps to himself, he`s running from his past. A former professional hockey player, no one seems to want him to forget how he blew his big break. But it`s obvious that his isolation is self-imposed, and has little to do with his previous career. They say you can only run for so long before your past catches up to you. I’d add that when it does, it forces you to take a good hard look at yourself. That’s precisely where Bob’s problem lies: he’s slowly disappearing and running out of time.

Director Geoff Redknap really uses the boreal setting to his advantage and his experience in the industry as a makeup/special effects artist adds value to a film that feels like it was crafted by someone with well trained eye. The story is slow but well-paced and his use of special effects only set the table to the story; they aren`t the main course. Too often, when a special effects artist decides to venture into filmmaking, the result ends up being one gore gag after the other. In The Unseen, the effects simply are part of the mundane universe Bob lives in without being gratuitous.

Without “exposing” too much flesh, The Unseen is a startling, mute update of a classic horror character we know very well. There is nothing explicit about The Unseen. There`s little exposition, or backstory. Just a tight little film that reinforces the reasons why we enjoy fucked up movies like this one: there`s heart hiding inside all the weirdness.

The Unseen: a tight thriller you won’t want…..to un-see! (swish)

So long sunshine,

I’m out!

Jo Satana