As much as I love the horror genre overall, I have a special fondness for low and micro budget indie films. Admittedly, I am a bit of a gorehound, but I also appreciate films that can move me to a state of terror with more of a psychological approach. When I heard that They Look Like People falls into this category quite nicely and achieved a wildly successful festival run, I was more than intrigued.
Premise: Wyatt (MacLeod Andrews) shows up in New York City after a bad breakup and reconnects with his longtime friend, Christian (Evan Dumouchel), after years of not keeping in touch. Christian is thrilled and invites Wyatt back to his apartment to crash while he’s in town. Wyatt reluctantly agrees, but begins acting strangely right away, although the self-absorbed Christian doesn’t quite notice. Wyatt seems paranoid and delusional, even receiving phone calls from voices speaking about evil creatures taking over the world. Is Wyatt suffering from severe mental illness or is this a case of The Body Snatchers?
They Look Like People is Perry Blackshear’s feature debut as director, producer and writer, with Andrews and Dumouchel joining him as producers. This was truly their baby and the passion they had for the film shines through. Blackshear wisely took advantage of the natural chemistry between Andrews and Dumouchel, which prevented any of the scenes from feeling forced. With only a handful of actors credited, no elaborate set designs and eerily quiet scenes, an awkward stiffness could have easily taken over. If I ever felt awkward, it was because Blackshear wanted viewers to feel that way. There were a few issues with choppy and dubbed dialogue, but those issues never detracted from the film. The brilliant writing and performances made any flaws I found more than forgivable.
Right from the beginning, I took to Wyatt and Christian and had a vested interest in their relationship. I felt as if I were watching a genuine friendship that was heading towards a dire situation, but I had to sit by helplessly. The tension and mystery surrounding Wyatt’s actions kept building, making me empathetic and nervous for both characters. This element was truly the highlight of They Look Like People.
I do have to mention that it is much more of a slow burn, so if that isn’t your cup-of-tea, you’ve been warned. However, if you enjoy movies such as The Innkeepers, House of the Devil, and The Battery, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed. The story is gripping and it stayed with me for hours after it ended. In fact, I found myself holding my breath off and on during the entire last scene. This is one indie film that isn’t to be missed.
If you’re interested in learning more about MacLeod Andrews, please be sure to check out his interview with HorrorGeekLife.com here!