POV (2023)

Currently Screening in Various Festivals.

I believe it was Veruca Salt who said, and I paraphrase: I want a feature film version of “POV.” I want one, I don’t care how, but I want it now. “POV” is probably one of the very first horror based vigilante movies I’ve ever seen and it’s teeming with so much potential to build on this world and expand it in to something dark, twisted, and just downright bad ass. From director Brian K. Rosenthal (of “Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness”), “POV” is such a great film that has a pretty excellent concept behind it.

“POV” centers on an ideologically opposed couple, both of whom attempt to survive a home invasion by a masked assailant on the single most dangerous night of the year: Halloween. While anxiously trying to survive her confrontation, Aubrey experiences hope in the most unlikely form.

I love the whole idea of taking the holiday of Halloween, transforming it in to a night where all hell breaks loose, and then giving us a potential superhero that has pretty much had enough of it all. I’d love to know more about this world and how it all started, how it all went downhill, and why Halloween is now basically “The Purge.” I’d also love to know if this whole scenario is government mandated, or if there’s a Halloween super villain who has taken control. In either case, “POV” is pretty damn near excellent with some sharp direction, and editing from Rosenthal himself.

There are also some really top drawer performances from the collective cast, and a wonderful bit of choreography from Justin Ortiz. Ortiz should very much be congratulated for staging from really vicious fights that skew right in the middle of action while also remembering we’re essentially watching horror. I also loved the concept of the enigmatic vigilante “POV” who not only looks slick, but is also someone I want to see more of. “POV” is a short begging to be made in to a feature and I look forward to seeing more of this universe realized and fleshed out.