If you were looking for any other more interesting films out there concerning prejudices and bias' that were more underground, "Unstable" really does the trick. It's not a perfect film, but it really does analyze how utterly spontaneous homophobia can make others. I've confronted many homophobic people in my life, and the mere  accusation, even jokingly, that they may be gay causes them to act rather aggressively, and director Spaccinni examines that very intelligently from the beginning. "Unstable" is a film within a film about homophobia in society and how an unexplainable hatred can shake up a foundation of friendship. Many times hatred and prejudice can be surpassed because of our strong friendship, but when said prejudices conflict with our own personal mingling, it can really interfere, and that's what happens in "Unstable". The film opens with director Spadaccini revealing to the camera that the film he submitted to a festival won awards and he was granted a scholarship. Because of that, his friend Jim is taking him camping, a favor promised as friends.

Jim seems like a basically normal guy, and the morning of their preparations to leave, once Bobby enters Anthony's house, things suddenly change. "Unstable" presents very much the same framework of "The Blair Witch Project" except it tends to confront more relevant issues than a supernatural witch. Spadaccini takes the chance to devote the film to analyzing unexplainable hatred. Jim then sees Bobby, a basically openly homosexual young man and things take a turn for the worse. He insults him, bashes him, physically taunts him and urges everyone to keep him away from his sight.

Jim has a sheer searing animosity toward Bobby from the get go and though it's never really explained, the animosity is disturbing. Disturbing only because I've seen incidents such as the ones depicted here, and you have to wonder why he is so afraid of this gay man. With some very convincing acting--and some improvisation (?)--"Unstable" feels much like reality and less like a film which adds to the shocking realism. "Unstable" takes a more dreadful turn once Bobby is discovered dead in the forest, and then the plot thickens.  Spadaccini shows how violence can progress from homophobia and hatred, and often if not addressed, can become a self-destructive entity.

In spite of the last scene which basically explained much unanswered questions, the final twist really did just feel incredibly forced. The film would have come off as a much subtler exploration of homophobia and its ability to bring out violent tendencies had the last twist not occurred which made it feel as if Spadaccini was reaching for melodrama to add that wasn't needed. And then the shock of seeing Bobby dead is incredibly underplayed in the scene that turns the film from a drama to a murder mystery. Especially from people whom defended Bobby throughout the entire trip. For them to just sit around without really much outrage in spite of the shock just felt illogical. Meanwhile the climax with the explanation felt redundant. Why present to us this film and then explain to us what we just saw if the themes were pretty audible from the very beginning? It just felt unnecessary.

In spite of some unrealistic turns, and a redundant final scene, Anthony Spadaccini explores homophobia and violent tendencies following by taking these archetypes and pitting them together. "Unstable" is a sad, disturbing, and intriguing look at sheer hatred that's impulsive. Hating what we refuse to understand.

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