‘Fear is everywhere’
Spiral is a 2019 Canadian horror film about a male queer couple that moves to a small town so they can enjoy a better quality of life. They also hope to raise their sixteen-year-old daughter with the best social values. However, nothing is as it seems in their picturesque neighbourhood. And when Malik sees the folks next door throwing a very strange party, something shocking has got to give.
Co-produced and directed by Kurtis David Harder (Incontrol; co-producer of Z; Harpoon; What Keeps You Alive) from a screenplay co-written by Colin Minihan (Z; Still/Born; It Stains the Sands Red) and John Poliquin, the Digital Interference Productions-Hadron Films production stars. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Ari Cohen, Jennifer Laporte and Lochlyn Munro.
Reviews:
“The film is a little predictable and somewhat guilty of establishing things that are sometimes rendered moot points, that and Kurtis could’ve done away with those few horror cliches and some of the stretching of credibility in order to make an even tighter film. As it stands, if you’re a fan of controlled thrillers then I can highly recommend Spiral…” Adam the Movie God
“Spiral means well as both commentary and as an “is this really happening or is it all in his head?” chiller. Trouble comes from trying to have its cake and eat it too by quizzically blending tangible thrills with hallucinatory horror. The result is a messy mixture that fumbles the film’s fiction.” Culture Crypt
“We’ve all seen the robed-coven-hiding-among-nice-townspeople setup many times before, and it’s the least interesting aspect of the film. But the lead up is great. Of course, this should be seen as a state of the US movie (although it’s actually Canadian) and the cyclical plot hook is evidence that the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Dark Eyes of London
“An on-the-nose ending undermines the uncertainty of what’s come before, but feels like a necessary commitment: how can we ever overcome if we don’t know what it is we’re facing? Indie horror doesn’t get much sharper or more socially aware than this.” Electric Shadows
“The social commentary is even more pointed than it was in Get Out – watching Malik go from telling his daughter that living out and proud is the bravest thing you can do to a few scenes later telling her for her own safety not to be noticed, not to speak or stand out as it’s a dangerous time to be different was just devastating […] Beautifully acted and horrifyingly prescient Spiral hits you like a sledgehammer and leaves you reeling.” The Geek Goddesses
“Spiral is a film that rewards repeat viewings as it’s littered with Easter eggs of foreshadowing that don’t fully coalesce until later in the film. I found myself revisiting notes, strange images I’d remembered that elicited fresh goosebumps having since gained all the facts. It’s truly been an exercise in restraint writing this, as revealing any more would rob you of all the grisly treasures you have to discover.” Killer Horror Critic
“Bowyer-Chapman is terrific, giving a subtle reading of a flamboyant role – digging deep for a vein of black comedy in a painful situation. Everyone else in the film seems reasonable and easy-going, so the protagonist’s rising hysteria is even more at odds with his surroundings – and it genuinely hurts when Aaron winces at his partner’s behaviour.” The Kim Newman Web Site
“A Canadian film that has a lot to say about the current state of America, Spiral recalls the best of the genre and can sit proudly amongst the likes of Rosemary’s Baby and Race With the Devil as an iconic example of the “evil cult” horror sub-genre.” Nerdly
“Those that find and read Spiral‘s secret message […] may emerge better equipped to survive the historical cycle of predatory exploitation, always there in one form or another as part of the community fabric. Or alternatively, that message may just be written into the conspiratorial plan. Either way, Spiral is not just thrilling, but also thought-provoking and urgently cautionary.” Projected Figures
“Preying upon real-life traumas that stretch back decades, and even centuries in the U.S., set my mind alight, and the gradual uptick in the nightmarish atmosphere and tension became even more effective as the minutes pass. Describing Spiral as only a slow-burn thriller doesn’t quite do it justice.” Screen Anarchy
“Spiral terrifyingly hits very close to home on many marks and, in its finale, erupts beyond any expectation of its scope, making sweeping statements about humanity’s inherent fear and hatred as well as the outcasts’ desperation to blend into their ranks – all while being horrifyingly entertaining.” What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?
Release:
Spiral will be available on Shudder in the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand on September 17th 2020. The film will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on January 19th 2021 from RLJE Films. Special features:
On the Set of Spiral feature
Interview with writers Colin Minihan and John Poliquin
Cast and characters:
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman … Malik
Ari Cohen … Aaron
Jennifer Laporte … Kayla
Lochlyn Munro … Marshal
Chandra West … Tiffany
Ty Wood … Tyler
Thomas Elms … Matthew
Paul McGaffey … Mr Reinhart
David LeReaney … Charles Darrylson
Darius Willis … Young Malik
Aaron Poole … Liam
Darius Savon … Young Malik
Megan Tracz … Jessica
Jasmine Nagy … Sammy
Lara Taillon … Sarah
Technical details:
87 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.35: 1
Trailer:
YouTube reviews:
