Written and directed by David A. Flores, a prisoner and guard are stranded and out of gas, but they’re not alone. Starring: Emily Sweet, Mary Rose Branick and Deryk Wehrley.

When you’re creating a dystopian or adjusted reality setting, the less effort you have to make, the better it’s going to work. It’s about the atmosphere and using the audience’s imagination, rather than throwing a bunch of effects or overt set design at them. That’s what David A. Flores does with Pit Stop, he establishes that separation from our own reality with tension and dialogue. Flores then adds to that with a claustrophobic edge and sense of isolation, all of which nicely ramps up the intensity, before we’ve even dived into the story.

The style is a really great horror, thriller mix but there’s also a solid action influence going on and a touch of sci-fi. How it’s cut together and uses such a brilliantly loud, brash, metal type score gives it that extra charge. However, there’s also a lot of realism to the directorial style, focusing on the dramatic relationship and evolution of the connection between these two characters. It’s an advantage and a disadvantage, as it does certainly work but it can feel like it’s hindering a smoother flow to the film. Those moments are simplifying the style and that can take away from the overall feel to Pit Stop. Although, you can’t ignore the fact that filming within such a closed in environment as a car, is always going to be tricky.

The performances from Emily Sweet and Mary Rose Branick open up some interesting layers for Pit Stop. Dipping into the idea of how we relate to one another, both in an emergency situation and when the power is imbalanced. They both have strong personalities yet get to show some vulnerability. They’re very sympathetic and bring a surprising level of emotion. Although with the focus landing so strongly on that dynamic, it doesn’t give us a lot of time to find out how they got there and the bigger picture. Making it feel like we’re getting the introduction to a larger story.

Pit Stop is a tense, claustrophobic adventure in how having a common enemy can dramatically disrupt dynamics. There’s a minimal but strong use of effects, the atmosphere has a great intensity and it doesn’t work too hard to convince you of its danger, it’s nicely natural. The performances are unexpectedly layered and both Sweet and Branick create interesting characters. It feels more like the beginning than a story that comes full circle but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.

Verdict: ✯✯✯½ | 7/10