Review of Lo (2009) by Elizabeth H — 20 Feb 2010

This is one of those films that, watching it, I have this creeping feeling that I am the exact audience for this film, that there is not much I would have changed had this been my project.

This is very much a theatre piece, with the single blackened set, the exits and entrances, and even Tragedy and Comedy presiding over the main character's memories. The film begins with our awkward and meek main character Justin sat in a summoning circle and performing what is obviously his first summoning ritual. He calls forth the demon Lo because his girlfriend has been recently nabbed by a demon and she conveniently left Justin with a demonic grimoire so he summons the demon which is bookmarked, hoping he can somehow get his girl back. With the exception of the initial and closing minute, the whole film is set in a private limbo of the summoning realm.

With so many strong points in this film, the cinematography was first to impress but the makeup absolutely floored me. Anyone who has read any of my prior reviews may have noticed that I favor practical makeup/fx to CG in horror, and this is a film that plainly proves the merit of using solely makeup to create its monsters. Besides our titular character, there are two other featured demons, a squealing green and mangy rat-thing hovering in the "corner" and a sly satirical singing demon Jeez who sports a Nazi-themed outfit and really reaches to the limits of this film's capacity for absurdity with his song and dance number for Justin about his girlfriend's fate. Lo, when it first appears on screen, is astoundingly creepy-beautiful and is wonderfully filmed, which brings me to the next strong point of this film, its cinematography. The lighting is like a live theatre stage setup, with Justin trapped in his summoning circle and other characters and flashback tableau entering and leaving the surrounding space through careful and masterful spotlighting of the otherwise utterly dark summoning space. The colors are crisp and all of the light shades hit showcase the incredible makeup.

Acting is pretty much point on here, especially since these actors are working from a superb script with very natural dialogue. The comedy bits work and the struggle of Justin vs. self is very nicely done. The one bit I sort of disliked but that I'm sure other people will love is the "monologues" where Justin speaks to the now talkative gash in his palm. It's not that this has been used before so much as this is the only spot where the makeup is flawed. It's not BAD makeuping for the budget, but it's simply not acceptable in comparison to the mastery of the three demon pieces.

This film is currently available on Netflix instant watch, and I strongly recommend you take time out of your schedule, however busy, to indulge in this bit of demonic dark comedy. A truly standout and original independent film, this is a lovely and rare gem from the American indie horror market.