Review of The Collapsed by Justin McConnell

In a world where often the most superficial gets spoonfed to audiences and where corporate judgment decides for us what we want to see, director Justin McConnell delivers with The Collapsed - a strong horror flick, combining the best of old school horror movies and modern sensibilities.  The Collapsed opens in Toronto this weekend at Carleton Cinemas.

Current day horror cinema is often far over-polished and under-freaky, and reeks from a corporate patchwork of ideas.  Unlike these cinematic equivalents of packaged 'boy bands', The Collapsed delivers on the fundamentals of its ideas, actors and story.  With an indie feel, the film has a far greater visceral sense, reminiscent of the classic 70's horror films, which stood on, and in fact benefitted from, their concepts and true to themselves filmmaking. 

At the same time McConnell has demonstrated that it is possible for an independent to deliver a polished film fit for modern theatre-goers.  The Collapsed differentiates itself from many independent films that scrimp in production value in ways that that are quickly becoming a modern cliche.  Instead, while not departing from its indie and old-school roots, The Collapsed does not shy away from effects and a slick and artistic look and feel.

Great horror movies are often marked not only by what they show, but what they don't.  In Jaws, we rarely see the shark itself.  In The Exorcist, we catch only fleeting glimpses of the demon possessing the protagonist or its real power.  Likewise, in The Collapsed, McConnell portrays an unknown entity stalking a family in a post apocalyptic setting.  In doing so, and doing so successfully, McConnell accomplishes this difficult but extremely effective task.  What is not seen is often far more frightening than what we do and the film builds great suspense and terror as the audience speculates and imagines what lies ahead for our protagonists.

Along with being a horror, The Collapsed is also a drama, portraying a family in crisis.  This family dynamic gives the film substance which supports and complements its scares and chills.

All in all, The Collapsed simply delivers - delivers on its down to earth feel, unique and scary story and as a true accomplishment for McConnell, a director of whom we are sure to see more of.

Showflicks caught up with Justin, who told us:

"I'm extremely excited to get this project out to the public, and  
can't wait to destroy their fragile psyche in a darkened theatre. In  
all seriousness, I hope people enjoy the film as much as we enjoyed  
making it."

You can check out The Collapsed website at http://www.thecollapsed.com/

- Showflicks

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