Unrelated to other things of same name, the latest project from writer-director Curry Barker after free-to-watch viral sensation Milk & Serial is a cursed love story.
Michael Johnston - Bear
Inde Navarrette - Nikki
Cooper Tomlinson - Ian
Mega Lawless - Sarah
Andy Richter - Carter
Summary
Childhood friends Bear and Nikki work at Cassell's Music store, with the former wanting much more from their relationship.
When Nikki drops her crystal necklace down a drain, instead of replacing item of jewellery, Bear buys a One Wish Willow from a mystic gift shop.
"Spark the middle and break in half."
He does just that, wishing for Nikki 'to love him more than anybody else in the fucking world'.
While exciting at first, her behaviour grows increasingly more disturbing, leading Bear to try and alter wish, but is told ordeal won't end until he dies.
You reap what you sow.
Love isn't real
Despite playing familiar monkey's paw tropes, whiffing of Evil Dead, The Exorcist and I suppose Fatal Attraction, nightmarish journey (and sometimes humourous) is executed with flair and panache.
Johnston is good, but Navarrette was brilliant, expertly balancing vulnerability, violence and emotional trauma.
Whether smiling, laughing or staring, performance is creepy as hell.
She makes him a sandwich from his dead cat Sandy, tells an incestuous version of Hansel and Gretel and kills Sarah by repeatedly slamming her face into a brick.
Ending was satisfying rather than stupid.
After Nikki shoots Ian dead, Bear locks himself in the bathroom and swallows the same bottle of pills that killed Sandy. He and Nikki share a genuine kiss, before Bear dies from an overdose. As wish expires, the real Nikki screams and cries.
In April, it was announced that Barker will reimagine The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Too ambitious? Only time will tell.
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