Years ago, after I found the dvd left behind by my brother, who, alongside most other modern people, has since entered the 21st century with online streaming endeavours, I started to watch Triangle (2009) only for the disc to give up within 3 minutes. So when I came across it in a charity shop last week, I thought it was about time.
After a small group on a yachting trip are caught in a freak storm which capsizes thier craft, they chance upon an ocean liner and board to save themselves. Once on the apparently deserted ship, strange things start to happen. To watch the trailer (which I haven't) I imagine could give the impression of a run of the mill cheap horror; a masked killer stalking a group of young people aboard an abandoned ship doesn't cry out intellegence, but there is much more to it than that. Beyond mentioning supernatural aspects, I won't reveal any of the secrets, but I can say that although they are not entirely original, they are surprising and make the plot interesting, engrossing, somewhat addictive and unexpectedly fun.
On a technical level, most aspects (acting, set design, cinematographt and sound design) are mediocre to good, as you would expect from a relatively small budget. But that doesn't take away from the overall considerable effect, alot of which for me comes from the ambition of the labyrinthine story. I noticed a clear nod to a certain Stanley Kubrick horror masterpiece when they enter cabin 237, within which is found a plot point including red writing and mirrors. Although in fairness it is more Primer (2004) than Shining, more psych and mystery than horror. It admirably avoids the easiest ways of creating tension - it is mostly shot in brightness, with no jump scares, and it was in no rush to get to the selling points - which I particularly liked.
I found it a surprisingly well done, slow build mind bender from the director of Creep, a low budget claustrophobic horror which I really liked. I was very pleasantly surprised and had it stuck in my head for a little while afterwards, which should speak volumes to it's effectiveness.
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