Review of In Fear (2013) by Tiago C — 21 Mar 2015

This is a low-budget, stripped-down, pretty effective horror film. We know almost nothing about Tom & Lucy, except they've hooked up quickly and now seem to be going to some far-flung festival in the back of beyond in Ireland. And he's booked them into a hotel first.

Except there's no evidence that any of this exists. They drive and drive down ever-narrowing lanes, as the light of the day fades and the car grows more claustrophobic. Are they in a maze? Has Tom set this up? Who was Lucy talking to when she phoned? And how come their sat-nav is so rubbish?

Most of these questions that ping into the viewer's head go unresolved, which is both the film's strength and weakness. The extreme close-ups and oppressive tone force you to be fully in the moment, in real-time with the characters, creating an escalating sense of dread. But as the film goes on, some of their actions become less and less credible and more exasperating.