Two friends who have a web series about obscure monsters receive a tape showing a potential new one that they must investigate. As they reach the location of the tape’s filming, they meet a man who seems a little off at best. From there, they go in search of the monster and find… something.
Written by Daniel Degnan and Josh Stifter, with the latter also directing, this film shows how to take a low budget and make the most out of it. The film has a story that start simply, but with a vulnerability that helps connect the viewer to the protagonist. It then takes the two leads to a new location, becomes almost a “in search of” type of film, then it takes a turn for the gory and grotesque in a way that can only work here. The film takes its twists and turns and makes them make sense even when they should not. The violence is not as high as some might think, but the gore is done quite well and brings the horror fully home in the last third of the film. This a tight story with plenty going on while also keeping the cast completely minimal.
The cast here is composed of Josh Stifter, Daniel Degnan, and Aaron McKenna in the leads with Stifter doing most of the heavy lifting acting-wise. The three of them work together quite well and their performances carry the film. The work here is one that is involved and definitely directly in the viewer’s face at times so to speak. Nonetheless, the performances sell the material and the characters, giving the viewer people they can easily follow, especially in the characters of Dom (Stifter) and Aaron (McKenna). The film gets to know the characters very closely, intimately really, and then it puts them in danger, something both Stifter and McKenna do great working with. Degnan as Greywood is that right mix of “is he dangerous or is he just weird”. The film makes the most of this as well as all other performances.
The look for the film here is quite specific and one not seen all that often anymore. The film is presented in black and white with high contrast, making it look like it’s from a bygone era. The cinematography by Josh Stifter shows exactly what needs to be shown and keeps some aspects out of sight until they need to be shown, giving the film a mystery in how it’s filmed while still being a style that gives the lead characters all the space they need to develop the story. The practical effects here also need to be noted as they are grim and just perfect, especially near the end.
Greywood’s Plot feels like both a film from a bygone era and a very modern one due to its story and its look. It’s an entertaining watch with some grim sequences, some great special effects, good performances, and an unexpected ending. It’s an easy watch that would gain from a big screen viewing, but is coming out on VOD instead.