SXSW 2017 Review: THE STRANGE ONES

By Jan Hamilton

Beautifully filmed landscapes are the setting of our eerie road trip movie, as a young man and his teenage brother set off on a short vacation to hunt deer and camp. At least, that’s what they tell people they are doing, the reality is, at first, only hinted at. We are shown brief flashbacks of an attack on someone, and a home going up in flames.  There is very little dialogue to help us interpret what is happening.  Are these brothers victims fleeing that violence, with the camping trip as their cover, or is there a more sinister explanation?  With wonderful performances from our duo, (Alex Pettyfer and James Freedson-Jackson), this is a compelling film with scenic images that will linger in your mind. 

The Bottom Line: A different kind of movie that many will appreciate.  It’s best not to give away too much in advance.

Director:  Lauren Wolkstein, Christopher Radcliff

Executive Producer:  Anne Carey, Paul Finkel,

Ozo Jaculewicz, Mynette Louie, Jason Potash

Producer:  Sebastien Aubert, Michael Prall, Eric Schultz,

Shani Geva, Daniela Taplin Lundberg

Screenwriter: Christopher Radcliff

Cinematographer: Todd Banhazl

Editor: Christopher Radcliff, Lauren Wolkstein

Production Designer: Danica Pantic

Music: Brian McOmber

Principal Cast: Alex Pettyfer, James Freedson-Jackson,

Emily Althaus, Gene Jones

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