Directed by Ian Hunt-Duffy and written by Darach McGarrigle, after an experimental drug trial goes awry, the test subjects face a terrifying side effect: if you fall asleep you die. Trapped in an isolated facility, panic ensues as they try to escape and somehow stay awake. Starring: Millie Brady, Pollyanna McIntosh, Akshay Kumar, Diarmuid Noyes, Brenock O’Connor, Abby Fitz, Shonagh Marie, Frank Blake and Janet Grene.
While stories like this years ago may have sounded futuristic or even dystopian, the idea of luring people in to test out questionable drugs with the promise of a payday sounds fairly realistic today. Of course, it’s a good starting place, immediately injecting plenty of suspicion and ulterior motives, as well as intriguing unspoken backgrounds of our willing guinea pigs. That’s really the biggest strength of Double Blind, how those aspects build a natural and satisfying amount of tension, which is nicely consistent throughout.
Followed closely by the performances, it’s a hugely strong ensemble at work. Starting with leading actress Millie Brady as Claire, she’s relatable and sympathetic yet clearly is hiding a messy past. She feels like the equivalent of a final girl in a slasher flick, she’s smart, capable and determined but never just out for herself. Pollyanna McIntosh is always a welcome face in a film with plenty of darkness which she’s wonderful at playing into. She has a big part to play in a small amount of time and she impressively manages to convey a complexity to her character. Then the rest of our test subjects are filled out with a strong bunch of young actors.
Visually the film also works surprisingly well, it really leans into a dark palette which nicely highlights their isolation, fear and the collapsing nature of their situation. The atmosphere is captivating and doesn’t overplay its hand and it pairs well with the nicely messy dynamic between the characters. Unfortunately, a lot of these elements are let down as the film enters its final scenes, making some stereotypical choices which cheapen the film. As well as playing out an ending that’s almost like a get out of jail free card, an easy sum up without having to answer a large number of different questions.
Double Blind had a good concept, enjoyable tension and a great cast but as it arrives at its resolution, it’s as if it’s flipped a switch and changed its formula entirely. It becomes predictable and uses deus ex machina to a frustrating degree. It’s a shame to see it run out of steam after an entertaining first half but it does still have a fair amount to offer.
FilmCarnage.com 