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review

4X4 (2019)

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Summary

Mariano Cohn's Argentine thriller "4X4" traps a thief and a vengeful doctor in a high-tech SUV, creating a tense psychological showdown that brilliantly examines justice, crime, and class division in Buenos Aires. This festival-recognized, single-location film delivers intelligent social commentary and suspenseful storytelling that deserves more than its modest 5.7 IMDb rating.

A Claustrophobic Showdown of Moral Ambiguity

Director: Mariano Cohn
Writers: Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
Starring: Peter Lanzani, Dady Brieva
Countries of Origin: Argentina, Spain
Runtime: 90 minutes


In Mariano Cohn’s tightly-wound thriller “4X4,” the director transforms a luxury SUV into a claustrophobic prison cell that serves as both narrative device and pointed social commentary on Argentina’s complex relationship with crime, justice, and class division.

The film follows Ciro (Peter Lanzani), a small-time criminal who breaks into what appears to be an unattended high-end SUV parked on a quiet Buenos Aires street. After helping himself to the car’s computer system and defiling the interior, Ciro discovers too late that he’s walked into a sophisticated trap. The vehicle, customized by its owner Dr. Enrique Ferrari (Dady Brieva), is a technological fortress – bulletproof, soundproof, and hermetically sealed from the outside world.

What begins as a straightforward premise quickly evolves into a psychological battle of wills when Dr. Ferrari establishes remote communication with his captive and reveals he can control all of the vehicle’s functions, leaving Ciro at his mercy. What follows is a dark, thought-provoking exchange between two characters who exist in a moral gray area – neither heroes nor conventional villains, but rather two opposing forces shaped by a society fractured by inequality and disillusionment.

Cohn and Duprat’s screenplay tackles “contentious and controversial topics such as enforcing justice outside the law, and the narrow line that separates victims from assailants.” The film asks difficult questions about vigilantism, social responsibility, and the breakdown of institutional justice without offering simplistic answers. The luxury vehicle becomes “a microcosm for Argentina, depicted as a nation that has lost faith in local law enforcement and the justice system.”

Still from the movie 4X4 (2019)

Lanzani delivers a remarkably physical performance, conveying Ciro’s escalating desperation while confined to the vehicle’s interior for most of the film’s runtime. Working with limited space, he manages to create a character who, despite his criminal actions, evokes complex emotional responses from the audience. Brieva provides the perfect counterbalance as Dr. Ferrari, whose calm exterior masks deep trauma and calculated vengeance.

The film’s technical elements enhance its claustrophobic tone, with cinematographer Kiko de la Rica making ingenious use of the confined space. Though not “as claustrophobic as the likes of ‘Buried,'” the panic and struggle remain palpable throughout as Ciro watches the outside world continue indifferently while he fights for survival.

Where “4X4” truly excels is in its refusal to provide easy moral clarity. Had Ciro been a more sympathetic character—perhaps someone breaking into the vehicle for noble reasons—the audience might find it easier to pick sides. Instead, Cohn forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about justice, retribution, and whether the ends ever justify the means.

Despite being set almost entirely within a single location with minimal characters, the film maintains tension throughout its runtime—a testament to Cohn’s skillful direction and the strength of the central performances. The social commentary never overwhelms the thriller elements, but rather enriches them with meaningful subtext about contemporary Argentine society.

“4X4” was recognized at several international film festivals, including nominations at Sitges, Cairo, and Havana Film Festivals, highlighting its appeal beyond Argentine borders as a universal examination of crime, punishment, and the human tendency toward taking justice into one’s own hands.

While currently holding a modest 5.7/10 rating on IMDb, “4X4” deserves greater recognition for its ambitious storytelling, technical prowess, and willingness to explore complex moral territory. It stands as a worthy 7.5/10—a taut, intelligent thriller that uses its high-concept premise to deliver both entertainment and thought-provoking social critique.

Rating: 7.5/10

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The Glass Dome

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Summary

The Glass Dome is a Swedish mini-series centered on Lejla, a traumatized criminologist who returns to her hometown and becomes entangled in a chilling mystery involving a missing child and echoes of her own abduction. As the story unfolds, the psychological thriller intensifies with twists, strong performances, and haunting Scandinavian scenery. A gripping Nordic drama, it balances emotional depth with atmospheric suspense, making it a standout recommendation for horror and mystery fans

The Swedish mini-series The Glass Dome follows Lejla (Leonie Vincent), a criminologist who returns from the United States to her small hometown of Grånas, Sweden, for the funeral of her adoptive mother. Lejla’s past is marked by deep trauma—she was abducted as a child and held captive for nearly a year before managing to escape. During her disappearance, her biological mother died by suicide, overwhelmed by grief. Lejla was then adopted by Valter (Johan Hedenberg), the police investigator who handled her case, and his wife Anne-Marie.

Still frame from The Glass Dome

Upon returning home, Lejla finds the community in turmoil. The expansion of a local mine, managed by Said (Farzad Farzaneh), has sparked environmental and social unrest. Things take a darker turn when Said’s wife and Lejla’s childhood friend, Louise, is found dead—an apparent suicide. But their young daughter Alicia (Minoo Andacheh)  has also gone missing and when her neatly folded clothes are discovered at the entrance to one of the mines, it becomes clear that she’s been abducted.

Initially, suspicions fall on upset locals seeking revenge for the mine’s environmental damage—especially when Louise’s death is ruled a staged suicide. But when another girl disappears, Lejla begins to fear that her own childhood captor may be at large once again. With the help of her adoptive father Valter and her enigmatic uncle Tomas (Johan Rheborg), Lejla races to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Still frame from The Glass Dome

This Nordic thriller, with its eerie atmosphere and psychological horror elements, is absolutely riveting. The narrative is rich with twists and turns—just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story pivots in a new direction. But it never feels convoluted. Every piece fits together in a chilling but satisfying conclusion.

The acting is exceptional. Vincent delivers a compelling performance as Lejla, skilfully portraying a woman haunted by her past yet determined to save others from a similar fate and in conclusion resolve her own ghosts. Rheborg and Hedenberg are equally strong in their roles, grounding the series in emotional authenticity. The haunting tone, paired with bleak and beautiful Scandinavian landscapes, adds to the overall atmosphere of quiet dread.

Final Verdict

While The Glass Dome is not a traditional horror series, it’s a must-watch for horror lovers. Its psychological undertones, unsettling mystery, and suspenseful pacing slot it perfectly into the more subtle realms of the genre. Nordic thrillers rarely disappoint, and this one is no exception. Plus, for those who shy away from subtitles, it’s available dubbed in English on Netflix. Don’t miss it.

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review

It Feeds

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Summary

It Feeds follows therapist and psychic Cynthia Winstone as she encounters a malevolent entity attached to a new patient, Riley, sparking a terrifying series of events. While the film delivers striking visuals and a creepy creature design, its plot suffers from disorganization and mismatched stylistic choices. Despite its flaws, the film marks director Chad Archibald as a promising talent in horror.

Cynthia Winstone (Ashley Greene) is a therapist and psychic medium who helps her patients recover from past trauma. Her daughter, Jordan (Ellie O’Brien), works as her assistant, though she’s unsure if she’s inherited her mother’s abilities. Her father, also a medium, tragically died due to negative forces.

One afternoon, a distressed girl named Riley Harris (Shayelin Martin) arrives at their home, desperate for help. Her father, Randall (Shawn Ashmore), was referred to Cynthia by a former patient, Agatha (Juno Rinaldi). While Jordan begins taking Riley’s case history, Cynthia enters the room and is immediately horrified by the entity feeding off Riley. Refusing to treat her, Cynthia is visibly shaken—relieved when Randall suddenly arrives to take his daughter away. But Jordan can’t shake the encounter, and what follows is a dark and dangerous confrontation with both supernatural and human threats.

Still frame from It Feeds

Writer and director Chad Archibald shows promise in the horror space with It Feeds. While the film has moments of tension and visually striking effects—particularly the demonic entity, which is genuinely unnerving for horror newcomers—the narrative often feels cluttered and chaotic. It tries to juggle too many elements, losing focus in the process.

One major distraction is the baffling costuming. In pivotal scenes—especially during confrontations with the entity—the Gothic wardrobe choices for Cynthia and even Riley feel out of place and unintentionally comical. These costume choices don’t serve the story and feel like a misplaced attempt at visual flair that ultimately detracts from the atmosphere.

Still frame from It Feeds

It Feeds comes across like a mix of InsidiousIt Follows, and The Conjuring, tossed together in hopes of capturing that familiar formula. With a more streamlined plot and clearer direction, it could have been much more effective. The acting is decent but doesn’t particularly stand out, though the creature design is a clear highlight and arguably the strongest part of the film.

Final Verdict

While It Feeds may satisfy those new to horror, it doesn’t bring much innovation for seasoned fans of the genre. That said, Chad Archibald’s potential is clear. With a tighter script and more focused vision, his future projects could be well worth watching. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what he does next.

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review

Dead Mail

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Summary

Dead Mail is a noir-inspired indie horror film set in the 1980s, following a kidnapped man whose plea for help reaches a postal investigator. While the film successfully captures the visual style of the era, it lacks originality and emotional engagement. Despite strong poster art and a creepy performance by John Fleck, the reviewer ultimately found the film disappointing.

Dead Mail follows Josh (Sterling Macer Jr.), a kidnapped keyboard technician who manages to slip a desperate note for help into a mailbox just before being knocked unconscious by his captor, Trent (John Fleck). That note ends up in the hands of a dead letter investigator at the post office, setting the story in motion. The film, set in the 1980s, embraces the era with a visual style that mimics the grainy texture of movies from that time.

Dead Mail Still Frame

Now, don’t get me wrong—I love the ’80s. That was my time. And the decade gave us a treasure trove of horror films that still hold up today. But if I want to watch an ‘80s horror movie, I’ll revisit the classics. I don’t need a modern imitation that doesn’t offer anything new.

Written and directed by Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy, Dead Mail unfortunately brings little innovation to the horror genre. It’s an indie film that, for me, fell flat. I genuinely tried to find something redeeming about it, but it just didn’t land. The acting was average, the storyline lacked intrigue, and I never felt truly invested in what was unfolding on screen.

Dead Mail Still Frame

That said, the poster art was fantastic—it did its job in grabbing attention and creating initial curiosity. And to be fair, getting a film made is no small feat. I’m not denying that DeBoer and McConaghy have talent, and with a stronger, more developed story, I believe they could deliver something much more impactful. I would still give another one of their films a chance in the future.

For some viewers, the noir-horror hybrid approach may appeal. The effort to recreate the feeling of an old film was well executed, and John Fleck certainly brings a creepy energy to the screen. But for me, it wasn’t enough to elevate the film into something memorable.

Final Verdict

I wouldn’t waste my time. While I fully support indie film making and often find hidden gems in the genre, Dead Mail just isn’t one of them. I walked away disappointed.

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