Film: Cara
Type: Revenge
Country: UK
Writer / Director: Hayden Hewitt
Rating: 7.6 / 10
After a traumatic stint in a psychiatric institution, Cara is desperate not to go back – dutifully attending her weekly therapy groups and going through the motions, doing her best to block out the nightmares that plague her mind. But as hard as she tries, her hatred and anger from what she went through consumes her, hellbent on getting revenge on those that did her wrong – her parents, doctors and the men who have treated her badly are all in the firing line, but can her plan be executed as she wishes or will she wind up right back where she started?
Elle O’Hara is fantastically cast as Cara, expressively displaying both the vulnerability and venom required for her character, often with just the simplicity of a flash of intensity in her eyes. Also well cast is her partner in crime Johnny Vivash (John), and the antagonistic Jacob Roberts (Paul). Throughout the storyline, Cara’s status as an unreliable narrator is outlined, often with a colour hue tint as she disassociates from situations and hallucinates her alternative realities. The majority of the film would be classed as a psychological horror, but the final 20 minutes or so change pace completely, with some unexpected brutally graphic scenes as she enacts her revenge.
The violent brutality is done well – varied and intense it makes for an uncomfortable watch, with some of the attacks purposefully slightly over long to really ramp up the intensity. It’s a dark storyline, that isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s well-layered, with enough depth to be a good (albeit at times very bleak and realistic) horror.
The incredible Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival is now in it’s 9th year – a brilliant festival for scary movie fans with a curated collection of some of the best independent horror features, shorts & web series. The screenings take place mainly at the wonderful Hen & Chickens Theatre in Highbury & Islington!
RatedReviewed 
Leave a comment