The Breach Movie, Lovecraftian Scary Stories
Rodrigo Gudiño’s The Breach premiered at 2022’s Fantasia International Film Festival. The Lovecraftian haunted house tale with some added creative license hails from a book by the same name by Nick Cutter. The story is somewhere between a cosmic horror that defies explanation and one that simply wants you to fill in the dots. Whether or not this translated well from novel to screen, I don’t know (because I haven’t read it.) What I do know is, that if you’re looking for some neat practical effects “The Breach” might scratch that itch.
In the opening scenes of The Breach movie, the audience is dropped straight into the middle of whatever cosmic door has been opened. Of course, there is always a nutty professor behind such things, and this one is called Cole. But when his body is discovered in an empty kayak, things begin to get weird. Police Chief John Hawkins is called in to investigate. When he and the coroner pull back the sheet at the morgue, neither can explain why this body has no bones. Far from being a no-bones day, he enlists a park ranger who just happens to be his ex-girlfriend to help him find some answers.
No Bones Day – The Breach Gets Floppy
Cole, the eccentric physicist in The Breach, embarks on a relentless quest to uncover a hidden portal bridging the gap between our world and an alternate reality. Through unsettling experimentation involving the sacrifice of tradespeople, and even his own daughter, Cole opens the mysterious door. However, to his horror, he inadvertently unleashes a force upon our world. These ethereal beings – devoid of flesh and bone – emerge from the portal, accompanied by a swarm of wasps. Despite the significant impact on certain characters, the exact nature and purpose of these mystifying insects remain shrouded in mystery. While the film adaptation fails to provide a comprehensive explanation, the book on which it is based may delve deeper into this enigma, allowing readers to grasp a fuller understanding.
Early reviews showcased a somewhat lukewarm reception to the film. Opinions expressed on the popular aggregator site Letterboxd.com suggest that some viewers found the film to be lacking cohesiveness. In my assessment, I share a similar sentiment.
While The Breach is not without its flaws and fails to break new ground, there are redeeming aspects. Notably, the on-screen visuals serve as a big yes for me. The gruesome depiction of torn flesh and body horror adds a layer of intensity, exemplified by a scene featuring the protagonist, John Hawkins, losing his fingers to a menacing bite.
A noteworthy aspect of The Breach is its executive producers, including the iconic guitarist of Guns n’ Roses fame, Slash. Together with Aybars Altay, Slash lends his musical talent to the film’s enchanting score. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the bulk of the storyline leans towards the overdramatization often seen in daytime television dramas. Despite the occasional infusion of grungy guitar moments in the soundtrack, the musical choices in certain scenes feel peculiar.
The Breach Movie Trailer
A Hangar 18 Media production. The Breach cast includes Natalie Brown, Allan Hawco, Emily Alatalo, Wesley French, and, Elisa Paszt. Also in the cast are Ava Weiss, Alex Lifeson, Adam Kenneth Wilson, and Mary Antonini.
Directed by Rodrigo Gudiño (Darknet TV miniseries.)
Written by Nick Cutter (book) and Ian Weir (script.)
