Directed by Alan Scott Neal and written by Taylor Sardoni, a small-town killing spree lands on the doorstep of a rural diner, where a young waitress must fight for her life over the course of one long night. Starring: Jessica Belkin, Jack DiFalco, Taylor Kowalski, Michael Giannone, Joji Otani-Hansen, Brian Wolfe, Christopher M. Lopes, Tara Raani and Glen Gould.

Upon opening, Last Straw gives the feel of a classic home invasion style horror mixed with a modern twist on the final girl but looks can be deceiving, and this film is hiding plenty beneath the surface. Taylor Sardoni creates a story that plays with familiar formulas of horror but adds layers of mental health, trauma and how desperation can be disastrous. It delves into how darkness breeds more darkness and has plenty of unexpected turns along the way.

Sardoni’s writing pairs perfectly with Alan Scott Neal’s direction, firstly in the pacing and progression. Coming in at the old-school horror runtime of just eighty-one minutes, it smartly kept itself to an effective and gripping tempo. It has plenty of time to build a superb atmosphere of tension and suspense. Neal’s style feels like it has hints of films like Funny Games or Becky, there’s a nicely sinister vein running throughout. The aesthetic is strong, the diner setting was a great choice, and the violence is very well done, which is absolutely key in a film like this and brings the whole thing together.

Jessica Belkin makes for a great lead as Nancy, she’s short-tempered, headstrong, independent and has a sharp tongue. It’s also always great when characters like Nancy are made to be resourceful and capable in these life-or-death situations, something that hasn’t always been common in horror. Taylor Kowalski throws everything he has at this role, it’s densely packed with emotion and he creates this fascinating ball of brokenness to Jake. The warring personalities between the two of them just gets more and more interesting as the film progresses.

Last Straw is a clever misdirect from slasher to sincerity, making a fun, bloody horror flick that also has something to say. It’s unexpected yet familiar, giving you something new but also plenty of what we know and love as horror fans. It’s dark and violent but has layers that make it into something more than just a fight for survival. There’s a few unfinished threads and an odd choice of a final line but it’s a surprising and impressive debut feature from Alan Scott Neal. With a particularly memorable performance from Taylor Kowalski, which proves he’s got the skills for more meaty, leading roles.

Verdict: ✯✯✯✯ | 8/10

 In select theaters & on digital platforms September 20, coming to Digital in the UK September 23

Reviewed as part of Beyond Fest & Sitges Film Festival