Reviews

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  ★★★★ review by bree1981 on Letterboxd

  Frightfest 2016 Film # 4

  I've tried to keep this review spoiler free but this is really the kind of movie where it's best going in knowing as little as possible.
  
  A dark psychological thriller with themes of loneliness and obsession, a film that toys with expectations and never goes down the expected route. Dominic Monaghan stars as Seth, socially awkward, he lives alone and spends his days talking to the dogs at the shelter where he works. On the bus journey home one night he spots Holly (Ksenia Solo), a girl he remembers from school, he tries to strike up a conversation with her but she isn't interested and soon smitten Seth becomes obsessed with her, stalking her online, showing up at her place of work and following her home. This all leads to Seth eventually kidnapping Holly but things aren't necessarily what they seem and the film pulls of a fantastic mid-point twist that turns thing's on their head.
  
  This is the kind of film where going in, I was pretty sure I knew what to expect and too be honest I wasn't overly excited about it but between the combination of two fantastic lead performances and writer Jeremy Slater choosing to constantly keep things unpredictable, it elevates the film above what could have been a fairly standard stalker/imprisonment movie. Monaghan is a revelation here, there's something uneasy about Seth, something not quite right but even after some of his reprehensible acts you still feel empathy for him, Solo is also excellent in what should be a real breakout performance.
  
  As I said, this wasn't a film I was fussed about seeing but I came out of the screening raving about it, it has well written characters you can invest in, some real uncomfortable and gory moments and a twisty story that should keep you on the edge of your seat, a real highlight of the festival.

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  ★★★½ review by Dawson Joyce on Letterboxd

  A surprisingly solid effort from screenwriter Jeremy Slater of The Lazarus Effect and Fant4stic fame, Pet is a psychological horror thriller that toys with audience expectations and succeeds in turning a seemingly familiar stalker, kidnapping, and imprisonment plot on its head, with the help of two genuinely interesting main characters played perfectly by leads Dominic Monaghan and Ksenia Solo.

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  ★★★½ review by Lee McCoy on Letterboxd

  Well this was a nice surprise. The abduction premise is one that has been tried numerous times, but Pet actually turns it on its head and offers some cleverly twisted ideas. Some of those elements are a bit cliche' and ultimately predictable, but I have to applaud Director Carles Torrens and writer Jeremy Slater for at least trying something different with the sub-genre.

  Plus high kudos for actors Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings, Lost) and especially Ksenia Solo, who capably handle all the twist and turns that Pet has to offer.

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  ★★★½ review by horrormuse on Letterboxd

  I went in blind and was  thinking it was just your usual kidnap/revenge film by the poster,but it kinda flips that genre on its head with some nice little twists and turns that i did enjoy.

  The two lead performances by Dominic Monaghan and Ksenia Solo along with the cinematography,direction and script really carry this film,
  
  but its the third act that keeps this film as a good horror film instead of a brilliant one.
  
  I like the idea of the ending actually i loved it but how they got there through a major plot hole was very disappointing To me.
  
  Good watch but not something that id be watching again any time soon tbh.
  
  6.5/10

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  ★★★★ review by Rich Strahs on Letterboxd

  That was amazing! Yes it is overly predictable but it worked. Not going to lie, I expected that last scene but I was also surprised that is where they took it.

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