Reviews

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  ★★★½ review by Naughty aka Juli Norwood on Letterboxd

  The film takes this whole lovin them "warts and all" thing to a whole new level!

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  ★★★★ review by Blain LaMotta on Letterboxd

  This is why I love independent cinema. Filmmakers Moorhead & Benson (check out their previous endeavor called Resolution) have crafted a profoundly moving romance with deep mythological underpinnings, which steadily manifests into grotesque body horror. The friction love creates, whether you consider it to be a biological response or something metaphysical, is something to be cherished for however long you can hold on to it amongst the various ups and downs of life. For in your darkest moments, that feeling can be a potent reminder that you are not alone in the world. Embrace it, even against your better judgement. I don't want to reveal too much about the plot, for it is best to be experienced cold. The chemistry between the leads, Lou Taylor Pucci and Nadia Hilker, is natural and dynamic. I bought their relationship every step of the way. The screenplay is cleverly written and embraces, as well as subverts, various genre elements without any sense of irony. The film is also stunningly photographed, capturing the Italian setting in all of its ravishing glory. A few particular shots stand out, an expertly conceived long take that ramps up the tension, and a stunning final shot that took my breath away. It's an emotionally satisfying ending to a thematically rich and empathetic picture. I'm smitten.

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  ★★★★½ review by bree1981 on Letterboxd

  Dundead 2015

  This is an awesome hybrid of horror movie and indie rom-com, it's the kind of movie where the less you know going in the better so if you haven't seen the movie and don't want to be spoiled probably better to stop reading now.
  
  The first part of the movie plays like something out off In Search of a Midnight Kiss or Richard Linklater's Before trilogy as Lou Taylor Pucci's troubled Evan, after watching his mother slowly die of cancer decides to escape his miserable life in L.A, leaving behind his only friend (a scene stealing Jeremy Gardner) and go off backpacking in Italy. Once there he hooks up with a couple of English traveler's (the bonding scenes between the three blokes provide a good deal of humour) and they end up in a small tourist village on the Italian coast. This is where he meets the exotic Louise (the beautiful Nadia Hilker) and a love story starts to blossom between the pair. However, all is not as it seems as Louise has a deep, dark secret and the film takes another turn that's reminiscent of Cronenberg's The Fly.
  
  This is a real visual treat of a movie with the Italian coast looking spectacular, all bright, vibrant colours and the two leads are both terrific, sharing a unquestionable chemistry. This is an engaging and well written love story with a brutal twist in its tail and as the end approached i found myself desperate for a happy ever after ending. Did i get my wish? watch the movie and find out, highly recommended.

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  ★★★★ review by Mr. DuLac on Letterboxd

  White people love Italy?
  
  -Evan

  I went into Spring with a bit of trepidation. First off the only experience I had with writer/directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson was their Bonestorm segment from V/H/S: Viral which had the distinction of being the most annoying short in a batch of bad ones.

  You combine that experience with the description of Spring being a "supernatural horror romance science-fiction film" and I'll be completely honest, I expected a train wreck. It started out rocky though as I did become annoyed with the character of Evan early on, but he soon won me over along with the rest of the film.

  What makes it work despite having all those descriptors is that it's first and foremost a romantic story that uses the supernatural, horror and sci-fi elements to tell it in a modest way without sacrificing what the film wants to be about. It's horror is earned, but it's not the focus of the film.

  Evan, who at first annoyed me, is played by Lou Taylor Pucci and was able to quickly win me over after he meets up with Louise played by Nadia Hilker. The great chemistry between these two made the film work that much more as "boy falls for girl with dark secret" is hardly anything new, but here it feels incredibly fresh.

  Also loved a tragic "side love story" that is told in a bit of an ambiguous way which means a lot to the overall plot. A really great, special little film.

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  ★★★½ review by matt lynch on Letterboxd

  "Are you a vampire, werewolf, witch, zombie, or alien?"

  probably takes too long to answer that question, much less bring it up, but this so effectively subverts every cliche it sets up by couching them in its true focus, a credible romantic relationship, that it gets away with being a little draggy in spots.

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