‘It doesn’t breathe. It doesn’t move. It just kills.’
Don’t Look Away is a 2023 Canadian supernatural horror film about a young woman being terrorised by a mannequin.
Directed and co-produced by The Michaels [Michael Bafaro (5G: The Reckoning; Wrecker; The Devil’s Ground) from a screenplay co-written with Michael Mitton (Bullet Proof; River Road; Okja). Also produced by Michael Mitton]. Executive produced by James Clayton, John Hoeveler, Caterina Scrivano and Evan Tylor.
The movie stars Kelly Bastard (Tommy and the King), Michael Mitton, Colm Hill (Okja; 5G: The Reckoning; myPhone), Rene Lai (Bully; At the Ends of the Earth), Abu Bukuly, Michael Bafaro, Brittany Pilgrim, Sophie Thom, Jason Haney, and Vanessa Nostbakken star.
Plot:
After a gang of criminals unintentionally unleashes a supernatural force onto the world, a young woman named Frankie is convinced she’s being stalked by a killer mannequin. Frankie soon realises that her friends are in jeopardy too. She must find the man who holds the key to stopping the killings, but Frankie knows that once you see the mannequin, there may be no end in sight, except for your own.”
PR blurb:
Brilliantly inventive and delivering some superbly scary set-pieces, including a disturbing disco bloodbath – not to mention enough shocks that the film should come with a health warning – Don’t Look Away will have you jumping at shadows for days after. Kelly Bastard is outstanding in the lead role as a woman attempting to keep hold of her sanity, at the same time as unravelling the mystery of the murderous mannequin – a truly spooky character who could rightly take his place in the horror hall of fame.
Combining the stylish creeping tension of It Follows with the spine-tingling urban legend terror of Candyman, Don’t Look Away is a must-watch horror treat for fans of the likes of hit chillers Talk To Me, Smile and Megan. But don’t be a dummy – make sure you don’t watch it alone!”
Reviews:
“There are some frightening moments, even some kills at a nightclub near the dancefloor, and the idea of the unstoppable creature following our heroine echoes It Follows, but this is very much its own film […] If you get freaked out by mannequins, by all means, this is going to make you ruin your pants.” B&S About Movies
“Overall, Don’t Look Away has some thrilling highs, especially with its bookends, and fun concepts with an unsettling, yet fun, killer figure as its centerpiece. However, its elements just don’t come together in a satisfying way with clumsy writing and dry performances.” Battle Royale with Cheese
“The story plods along and I really didn’t feel the film going anywhere fast, there are some nice little moments such as Frankie’s boyfriend (Colm Hill) writing on his laptop and bringing us a Shining moment […] it may be worth checking out if you like creepy doll movies…” ★★½ Blazing Minds
“One can revel in its disturbing disco bloodbath scene […] It’s a well-crafted film that’s well-acted by Kelly Bastard, but be warned it’s weird even if entertaining. We never see the mannequin kill, only the aftermath of its criminal actions.” Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
“Infused with dread and eeriness throughout, Don’t Look Away is a supernatural chiller with a strong, smart protagonist character and loads of great set pieces. The Michaels keep things rather simple while simultaneously giving the proceedings a constant air of mystery. I had a blast with this film, which takes what sounds like a silly premise and delivers a mesmerizing, entertaining work.” The Good, the Bad and the Verdict
” …the mannequin winds up as a gimmick, with little emotional and psychological texture – despite a rather desperate accompanying plotline about Frankie’s jealous boyfriend that lifts elements from The Shining and forces actor Colm Hill into trotting out a grad-student Jack Torrance […] Bafaro has undeniable technique up his sleeve, but he lets himself gaze too unblinkingly on horror predecessors.” ★★ The Guardian
“Just when you think no one could make a film about a killer mannequin that moves when you aren’t watching, here it is […] With its old-school vibe and relentless suspense, Don’t Look Away is destined to become a cult favorite. Horror fans looking for a thrilling throwback will find everything they want here.” Horror Movies Uncut
“The creature design is unassuming in the best way possible. It’s more defined than your typical blank-faced mannequin the genre has been accustomed to, and it’s a great way for them to make a mannequin horror film stand out from the rest. The kills work really well and the third-act addition of a specific character really elevates the horror and brings life back into the film when it starts to drag a little.” Horror Obsessive
“Instead of brutal clashes, we get to see the aftermath of several gnarly kills, each more vicious than the last. Don’t Look Away owes a lot to It Follows, as well as the movies of John Carpenter. At every turn, the stylish score from composers Matt Dauncey and Phil Western and impressive cinematography from Athan Merrick emulate the greats while crafting a twisted new world of their own.” ★★★½ Josh at the Movies
“Frustratingly, Don’t Look Away has a few elements that show some signs of promise, with an admirable performance from Kelly Bastard and a creepy presence from its killer mannequin. Ultimately, however, it’s evident Barafo has bit off more than he can chew with a story so rigid it makes its wooden antagonist look like a gold medal gymnast.” ★ Love Horror
“It’s entertaining but flawed and this is in part down to the story dispensing with proper character introductions and rushing too quickly into having Frankie stalked by a devilish-looking mannequin […] If you can overlook the casual way in which characters react to a friend’s grisly demise or indeed their own precarious predicament, then this is the movie for you.” My Bloody Reviews
“Don’t Look Away is dark and foreboding, but without relying on blood and guts to generate scares. It’s also fast-paced enough so that no scene overstays its welcome. At an ideal running time of just 1 hour and 23 minutes, Don’t Look Away is palpably scary, atmospheric and thrilling. It’s one of the best horror films of the year.” The NYC Movie Guru
“In the grand tapestry of horror, Don’t Look Away shines brightly, primarily due to the phenomenal narrative and performances. Bastard’s role as Frankie deserves special applause and will likely remain etched in viewers’ memories […] My biggest knock would be that I would have liked a further exploration into the main characters’ backstories…” ★, Overly Honest Movie Reviews
“Don’t Look Away delivers its horror in a number of ways including its killing but mainly its atmosphere and its ability to invoke fear through its imagery. You will never look at another store’s mannequin in the same way again. A new horror icon has been born so be sure check out this frightening gem when it opens in theaters…” ★★★★ Video Views
“ …The Michaels are not intimidated to extend beyond their reach. They stick to a straightforward set-up with an effervescent energy, and they have a reassured, logistical understanding of how much of their film could be up for discussion and how much is simply there to scare the hell out of you […] one of the best and most entertaining horrors of the year…” Wylie Writes
YouTube reviews:
Trailer:
Release:
In the US, Don’t Look Away was released theatrically by Level 33 Entertainment on September 1, 2023. In the UK, the movie was released digitally by Central City Media (CCM) on September 25, 2023.
Original title:
Mannequin
Technical specs:
1 hour 23 minutes
Related:
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