‘Are you sure that’s what happened?’
Ultrasound is a 2021 American science-fiction mystery film about a young man that spends a night with a married couple after his car breaks down – this set into motion a chain of events that alter their lives plus those of several random strangers.
Directed by Rob Schroeder – making his feature debut – from a screenplay by Conor Stechschulte based on the graphic novel Generous Bosom. Produced by Rob Schroeder, Georg Kallert and Charlie Prince.
The Lodger Films production stars Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men), Chelsea Lopez (Novitiate), Breeda Wool (UnREAL), Tunde Adebimpe (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Rainey Qualley (Love in the Time of Corona) and Bob Stephenson (Lady Bird).
Plot:
Driving home late at night during a heavy rainstorm, Glen (Vincent Kartheiser) experiences car trouble. Near where his car gets stuck, he spots a house, knocks on the door and is greeted by an oddly friendly middle-aged man, Arthur (Bob Stephenson), and his younger wife, Cyndi. The strange couple pours him a drink, and then more drinks, followed by an unexpected offer that Glen can’t refuse.
Elsewhere, a young woman, Katie (Rainey Qualley), is feeling emotionally weighed down by a secret romantic arrangement that feels like a textbook case of gaslighting.
And at the same time, in a nondescript research facility, medical professional Shannon begins questioning her role in a bizarre experiment, fearing that she’s doing more harm than good…
Review:
“Ultrasound delivers a compelling mystery box through meticulous plotting, intentionally bewildering story shifts, and vibrant visual choices. But it’s a heady one that revels in subtlety, preferring to leave viewers in the dark for as long as possible. Even then, it’s abstract enough to leave you with lingering food for thought.” Bloody Disgusting
“Always steps ahead of the viewer, Ultrasound steadily zigs and zags between disorientation and unease, all while maintaining its hold on being wickedly enjoyable, pulpy entertainment. The likes of Rod Serling would be proud.” Tribeca
“The film’s aesthetics are as assured as its dazed-and-confused lead performances, led by Kartheiser as a zonked-out individual who quickly loses his bearings and Stephenson as an amiable stranger with potentially sinister motives. Yet the film gets lost inside its own pretzel-logic narrative, burrowing so deep into its mystery that it can never find a fulfilling, much less magical, way out.” Variety
“If it has any precedents, I’d think of last year’s Possessor, with its own study of the struggle for bodily and psychological autonomy, the idea of ordinary people suffering for others via technological developments. There’s less emphasis on body horror here, though, and more of a study of very ordinary people against increasingly alienating subtexts.” Warped Perspective
Release:
Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Ultrasound was also screened at festivals such as the 2021 Fantasia International Film Festival and the 2021 Arrow Video FrightFest.
Magnolia Pictures and Magnet Releasing will release Ultrasound theatrically and On-Demand (VOD) in the USA on March 11th 2022.
Cast and characters:
Vincent Kartheiser … Glen
Breeda Wool
Rainey Qualley … Katie
Chris Gartin … Alex Harris
Bob Stephenson
Mark Burnham … Carl Fidlar
Chelsea Lopez
Tunde Adebimpe … Doctor Conners
Davida Williams
Chris Dougherty … Mr Munberg
Cheryl Dent … Alex Harris Supporter
Porter Duong … Julie
Dana Lyn Baron … Ms Herrington
Tony Evangelista … George
Jim Boeven … Mr Underwood
Technical details:
1 hour 43 minutes
Notes:
We initially covered Ultrasound on June 13th 2021 when it was on the festival circuit.
Trailer:
Clip:
