Review by Russ Gomm
Stars Roc LaFortune, Sean Devine, Nicole Leroux, Christina Rosato, Stephen Shellen, Michael Mando, Alex Weiner, Tim Rozon, Lena Kleine, Caroline Redekopp
Written by Olivier Abbou & Thibault Lang Willar
Certification UK TBC | US TBC
Runtime 90 minutes
Directed by Olivier Abbou
First of all, to avoid confusion, this is a French film, but has English language. It’s not dubbed, just filmed in Canada. A group of friends travelling home after a wedding are stopped at the side of the road by a couple of officers of the law, however, as events progress it becomes obvious that they are dealing out their own brand of justice.
Territories to us but Checkpoint to you when it’s released is a very dark and disturbing film. It wasn’t what I expected at all and I don’t think I was fully prepared for the events that transpired on screen. Sure, there are moments of violence and torture but what really left me feeling uneasy was the overall tone of the film. It all becomes chillingly real and deals with issues below the surface, things you wouldn’t expect in a typical horror film. To say too much about the narrative and the characters would spoil things but I can honestly say there is a lot you can take away from this cinematic journey.
The film is beautifully shot and the acting is fantastic all around. A creepy tension slowly builds and once it has taken hold it doesn’t let go. I found the final act of the film unrelenting and at times surreal. This is a film that stands very clear of others and will grip you to the very end. It will also leave you with something to think about for a long time afterwards.
• Territories at IMDb