SXSW 2022 | MOVIE REVIEW: "Jethica" Brings A Ghost Story To Life
8/12 ForReel Score | 3.5/5 Stars
Jethica begins in the backseat of a car, where the main character, Elena (Callie Hernandez, The Endless), is hooking up with a fling. Awkward post-sex conversation leads to questions about Elena, and questions lead to Elena’s story, where the camera cuts to the back seat of a car that she is driving right before a startling inciting event.
In a series of increasingly intriguing events, other characters begin to enter the narrative, and who this story is really about begins to shift the more this unconventional story unfolds. Featuring hints of It Follows in the anxiety that a constantly looming stalker can induce, Jethica casts a spellbinding hook on audiences, and although the payoff may not be what many would expect from this film, there’s much to appreciate about the ride there.
In Elena’s story while getting gas on a normal day, she serendipitously encounters an old high school friend, Jessica (Ashley Denise Robinson). What Elena learns later as the two catch up is that Jessica is escaping a stalker: Kevin (Will Madden, Beast Beast) who has obsessively spammed her with video messages and letters begging for her attention. When Kevin mysteriously shows up at Elena’s home, she and Jessica take extreme measures to get rid of him. Kevin, however, is stubborn and persistent about getting what he wants.
Directed by Pete Ohs and written by himself and the film’s cast, Jethica makes the most of a small production. He explained in an interview with me about the film that it was a highly collaborative project with much of the story developed and filmed in sequence. In addition, an uneasy score sets a haunting tone for the film and keeps the tension high as mild pacing and well placed long takes give scenes space to manifest suspense.
The finale does offer a twist that ultimately delivers a more heartfelt message. That twist, however, comes at the cost of invalidating the sinister nature of the film. It’s a sensible story packaged in an menacing ambiance; like an Are You Afraid Of The Dark? episode for adults. With a succinct 70 minute runtime, Jethica would work perfectly for an anthology of ghost stories like that.
Approaching Jethica with that understanding and expectation in place is best, because misreading the intentions of the film can make or break the experience by the time the credits roll. With that said though, it makes sense that Jethica starts with, and often finds the camera placed in, the back seat of a car. This film is a trip through an unusual and unpredictable narrative space, and we’re just along for the ride.
Acting and Casting - 1 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?