Malum (2023)
March 31, 2023 7:46 AM - Subscribe
A rookie police officer willingly takes the last shift at a newly decommissioned police station in an attempt to uncover the mysterious connection between her father's death and a vicious cult. Anthony DiBlasi remakes his own 2014 film Last Shift with a bigger budget and a broader scope.
Starring Jessica Sula, Eric Olson, Chaney Morrow, Candice Coke.
Directed by Anthony DiBlasi. Written by Anthony DiBlasi, Scott Poiley. Produced by Scott Poiley, Dan Clifton. Cinematography by Sean McDaniel. Edited by Anthony DiBlasi. Music by Samuel Laflamme.
83% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now playing in theaters. JustWatch listing.
Starring Jessica Sula, Eric Olson, Chaney Morrow, Candice Coke.
Directed by Anthony DiBlasi. Written by Anthony DiBlasi, Scott Poiley. Produced by Scott Poiley, Dan Clifton. Cinematography by Sean McDaniel. Edited by Anthony DiBlasi. Music by Samuel Laflamme.
83% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now playing in theaters. JustWatch listing.
This also has some of the best use of directional audio I have ever heard. While she's alone in that abandoned station, the weird sounds coming from all around her are also coming from all around you.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:05 AM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:05 AM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
Honestly, this is what a really good horror video game feels like. I think DiBiasi learned a lot from those, even to the point of employing the over-the-shoulder shot to track a character through a sequence.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:52 AM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:52 AM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
I loved Last Shift! Hope this hits streaming soon.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:23 PM on March 31, 2023
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:23 PM on March 31, 2023
this was a fun one. DOT's analysis is spot on.
posted by supermedusa at 9:29 AM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by supermedusa at 9:29 AM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
My kid pronounced this "the scariest movie [they've] ever seen." I don't know about that, but it was a ride.
The story is an Assault on Precinct 13 riff, which is, of course, itself a Rio Bravo riff. That's been done in horror before (Let Us Prey and The Void, off the top of my head, as well as Last Shift, obviously).
There are some folks saying this has political undertones. I think that's overselling it. To my eyes, the closest this gets to a political statement is the implication that a police force and a death cult have a lot of parallels.
If you're more of an "elevated horror" person, this will not be your jam. It's a 2.5 star story with 5 star scares and gore. Jessica's story isn't that deep, but the hole she's in absolutely is and you're in it with her. DiBlasi is a virtuoso at horror scenes and you feel the tension and dread and fear Jessica is going through.
If you want to feel your heart rate go up while reclining in a theater seat, this is your movie. It's got ghosts, pigs eating people, undead, a Manson Family-like cult, eyeballs popping like zits, fucked-up masks, warping reality, demons, ominous quasi-religious singing, mass shootings, vigilante hookers, hallucinations... the works. there is not a single character in this movie who does not register as dangerous.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:58 AM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]