True stories are often misrepresented in film, using terms like “inspired by” to fool filmgoers into thinking that the film is actually based on true events. ILS, or as we call it in the US, THEM, is a film I know to be fact as I remember reading stories about the events years ago. What happened to these unfortunate people is truly a terrifying story.

Lucas and Clementine lives peacefully in there house but one night they wake up... a strange noise... they're not alone...

The film opens extremely strong and then takes it’s time in developing our main characters. The screenplay is well written and follows many basic guidelines to making a good film starting with that opening sequence. The film opens with a girl and her mom in a car who crash on the side of the road. Strange things happen before both are killed cutting to the opening credits. They establish some traits of the killers in that opening scene, which help act as signifiers later in the film. After a strong development of our main characters these “strange things” happen in their house letting us know that “they” are responsible for them. Now we get to spend a good 45 minutes of the film praying that our newly beloved couple don’t die and escape whatever these “things” are.

Stylistically the film looks fantastic. There isn’t any over use of editing, camerawork or color saturation to help make the film “good”, ILS is entertaining because it’s well written and executed- post production didn’t need to save the day in this film. The camera paces itself similar to the story and the dark atmosphere helps maintain a sense of dread. In addition, the set design is astounding and the house that the couple lives in is beautifully gothic.

The main actor and actress are incredible and mesh so perfectly together; ILS would have been nothing without the strong performance by the duo. It was also great that the two opening “throw away” characters were also solid in their performances; the film nears perfection in almost every aspect.

Don’t go into ILS expecting a hardcore horror film- expect a cold, dark thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. I was caught off guard with how well the film is made, I’m really hoping this find a limited theatrical release here in the States. There’s nothing more terrifying than reality and the true nature of humans, which is why in the end you’re going to be asking yourself “what the hell is wrong with us?”