2013 SXSW Review: PLUS ONE

By Mark Saldana 

Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) 

This film has to be my least favorite “Midnighter” that I saw this year. Though not completely horrible, Plus One seems to lack a true purpose, or is at least terrible in conveying its purpose through the story and characters. The movie has an interesting starting premise, but suffers for poor development and bewildering writing. Written by Bill Gullo based on a story by writer/director Dennis Iliadis, the story comes across as a bizarre science fiction/horror/supernatural thriller mix. Perhaps that is part of the problem. Maybe the filmmakers just didn’t know where to go with their ideas and end up going nowhere.

A group of college friends and acquaintances at a huge wild party experience a most bizarre phenomenon after a meteorite lands nearby. David and Jill (Rhys Wakefield, Ashley Winshaw) whose relationship has been strained by David’s poor judgment, face some strange challenges in addition to the usual boyfriend/girlfriend woes. As for the rest of the party goers who are frightened and disturbed by wild events of the night, they might literally turn on another out of fear for their lives.

While I did enjoy the performances and some of the humor, I really can’t recommend spending theatrical prices to see this film if it does get released. I would be willing to recommend it as a curiosity piece for rental or pay television. The potential for a crazy awesome film was there, but unfortunately the filmmakers squander it.

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