B-Movie Blockbuster: Keep Watching
Let me start you with this: Keep Watching is a film that feels like someone watched The Purge, The Strangers, and Saw all in a row then had a fever dream. I mean that in the most complimentary way. The cinematic pace, the art and background, everything feels like it was plucked from one of those three films. Sometimes this can bother people when watching a film, seeing such parallels. For me, it was put together well so even though it was noticeable it felt more like a building up of that stylistic genre of horror.
It was so intriguing that the plot holes weren't that much of a nuisance and the lack of common sense by everyone was just a minor annoyance. For another movie that was just calling to me from the bargain bin I was excited from the start. The movie lived up to its name and I just kept watching.
We get the start with a montage of news clips talking about how a family in a rich neighborhood was brutalized by a gang of unknown assailants. There were traps set up and mini surveillance cameras all around, as the attack was televised over a streaming service. The family was given options to fight back, but were unsuccessful. One of the family members is still unaccounted for.
Thanks for the "foreshadowing". Much to my surprise, another rich and somewhat dysfunctional family is coming home from a trip. Unfortunately, their house has already been infiltrated and set up with tons of cameras.
The amount of disk space needed for this kind of maneuver must be epic.
We get a quick rundown of the family. A classic ‘rebel girl’ older teenage daughter who is slightly protective of her quiet and nerdy younger brother. Dad dealing with some shady financial transactions over the phone as he arrives home with the family and his young wife, a new step mom adjusting to their new family.
As they return home from a vacation, they all get ready for sleep. Then we get a visit from Dad's brother, Uncle Matt. Little fun detail most horror fans will catch onto. Matt is played by Leigh Whannell, and the Saw connection is now complete.
Moving on, the family tries to go to sleep as the intruders set out their plan. Matt hears some noises and goes to investigate. We get the calling card of this movie, which is random shit tied up in bows or with balloons. Festive.
Matt is attacked outside, which is not loud enough to wake anyone. Neither is the intruders installing retractable metal fencing around all the doors and windows on the main floor. Man, that vacation really must have tired them out, because that shit was loud.
As the intrusion begins, there are a lot of really cool shots within this film. Great suspense and solid direction make the bulk of this dark lit movie very fun. Our killers also have pretty dope costumes, despite also looking like they might have done some dumpster diving arts and crafts to do the finishing touches.
As the bodies start to pile up, it’s worth noting that despite there being a decent amount of kills, there is very little gore. Terrifying kills is a better word. It was a bold choice, and I for one enjoyed seeing the creativity.
Now we do have to mind some of the plot holes here. That no ones eyes ever adjust to the dark. That people seemingly trust a giant armored van that is patrolling their suburban area at 4am. That they get any subs on the stream without any cool donation noises like cat meows or fart sounds. All this has to just be taken and looked over, because the rest of the film really does move with good pace and with great little moments of terror.
We get down to the nitty gritty and we find that this is one of the horror movies that doesn't want a happy ending. They want to leave you feeling like you watched your favorite team make a thrilling comeback just to lose in overtime. A good kick in the gut. And it works with the film. Honestly, if you are a fan of the Saw/The Strangers/The Purge realm of horror, check this one out. It might just check enough boxes for you.
