Director:Â Jon Knautz
Cast:Â Alexis Kendra, Stelio Savante, Rachel Alig
Rating:
Running time: 90 minsÂ
Release date: 28/8/18 – Frightfest (London)
The London Frightfest always shapes up to be an eventful affair. Taking place over five days during the late August Bank Holiday at the Cineworld Cinema Leicester Square and firmly established as one of the premier genre events in the world since it’s inception in 2000, it’s a chance to fans and film-makers to meet and interact, as well as celebrate the best that the Horror Genre has to offer.
Since 2005, when HELLBOY played to a sell-out crowd, and then in 2006 when the late, great George A. Romero was guest of honour with a screening and Q and A of LAND OF THE DEAD, the prestige of having your film showcased has also increased.
One of the films that was selected for this year’s playlist was THE CLEANING LADY, directed by Jon Knautz which he co-wrote with the lead actress in the film, Alexis Kendra. The film received it’s World Premiere on Day Two of the Festival, August 24th, 2018
Kendra plays Alice, a love-addicted singleton who works as a beauty therapist and in love with married man Michael (Stelio Savante). Despite regular attendance at a therapy group, she cannot stay away from MIchael and her own torn emotions do tend to get on top of her.
One day, she meets Shelly (Rachel Alig), the resident cleaning lady in her building who has been scarred by some horrendous burns on her face and Alice, amidst the sadness of her own predicament, starts to form a bond with Shelly, inviting her to dinner and watch TV with her.
However, the bond which is starting to crystallise merely masks the dark feelings of trauma and a chilling past history that Shelly reflects on in her quieter moments, which are about to manifest themselves, particularly after Alice rejects Michael’s desire to keep seeing each other….
All the key elements of a good all-round horror film are here and fans of the likes of A QUIET PLACE and PLAY MISTY FOR ME will certainly get some satisfaction from a film that builds to a shocking climax after a slow-burning first half. Kendra and Alig give good performances that help undermine the audience’s unease with what is about to unfold.
All things considered, this is not for the squeamish and you get a sense of where this film is going from the opening shots of the film. It’s atmospheric and there are some genuine jump moments that punctuate the key moments in the narrative.JO
Highly recommended for horror fans – but those new to the genre will certainly be welcome to take a dare as well.
