SpookyDan caught a sneak preview screening of Raw Feed's horror-comedy, Otis, before it's world premiere at this weekend's SXSW Film Festival and has sent in his review of the film, which arrives on DVD June 10 (details here). Read on for the review and watch for another opinion this weekend straight from the premiere.
OTIS premieres at SXSW this weekend from our pals at Raw Nerve, and he happily beats new life into the (well worn) torture genre! Set in a middle class suburbia OTIS tells a story of a deranged psychopath who takes his victims and forces them to be “his girl” while chained up in a secret room in the basement of his house. Sounds like CAPTIVITY, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and even SAW, but what makes this so different and special is that OTIS is actually a dark comedy, with sitcom overtones. Yeah you heard me right, sitcom. I mean this in a good way – it’s reminiscent of the old John Hughes films where all of the adults in the film are playing the show for laughs while the teens are the straight performers.
What makes any movie special, a good script? Nudity? Blood? No, a good movie becomes special when it does one thing… entertains. OTIS excels at beautiful performances set in a messed up world that isn’t that far from where we all live. Quite honestly this could be the equivalent of JUNO for the horror set. JUNO gets all sorts of accolades for its witty banter and great performances, and has become the Oscar darling. With OTIS we have a similar situation: flawless performances, clever and witty script, and a 80’s soundtrack to die for. The horrific themes and subject matter will make it difficult to get the same exposure as a mainstream “indie” like JUNO. OTIS is really a comedy, not a horror comedy, but a comedy. Admittedly it’s not for everyone and I myself, found the tone a bit difficulty to get into, but once it had me...I couldn’t help loving the film more and more.
The reason that I feel the need to gush over this film is really all about these stellar performances. Ashley Johnson as Riley Lawson, a 16-year-old cheerleader who becomes “the victim” is played this with such delicacy and charm that you empathize with her every word. Newcomer Bostin Christopher, who plays OTIS, brings a serious depth and humor to what is normally handled as just a big menacing guy with issues. During the entire film, you are actually feeling a bit sorry for this guy who is doing all these appalling things. Never once did I question “why is he doing this?”, which is another flaw in many films nowadays (see UNTRACEABLE). And let me just say that, while I am not a huge fan of Kevin Pollak, he steals almost every scene that he is in. Pollak’s comedic chops are put to the test as he really comes across as the sympathetic bastard who doesn’t know that his brother is doing these awful things to these girls. Ileana Douglass delivers her trademark brand of brass knuckles dry humor that bites you in the ass when you least expect it. There is a moment in the film where she plays the entire scene using just her (distinctive) eyes with such delight and horror that you cannot help but be charmed, yet slightly scared and laughing out loud all the while (crazy combination, I know!)
OTIS is composed like a song that gets stuck in your head and just won’t leave. This elegant, quirky and violent fairytale for grown-ups will sweep you off your feet and keep the audience laughing and squirming throughout. Look for this film to do some major damage across the festival circuits, because like JUNO, this one is going to leave people talking. This is the best feel good torture-revenge-comedy ever!
I know im not sapposed to comment on other peoples comments...but Come On. Just 'cause you're a horror fan Fabian - try WaTcHiNg Juno before you rag on it as "nickelodeon"... or maybe it just simply went over your head :*(
I'm really excited for this movie. I've read two reviews and both seem to have the same basic conclusion of this being a good movie, but with a few flaws. Based on the reviews and the trailer I'm going to have no trouble picking this up on dvd when it comes out.
I saw this film at a sneak preview screening about a month ago. I totally agree with the reveiwer here.
This movie is great! So twisted! So funny! The guy who plays Otis is the best! Never seen him before but he's perfect.
I could really see this film catching on like the reviewer said. I don't know why this wasn't in movie theaters. Seems like a waste to put it straight to DVD. I got to see it on the big screen.
See this as soon as it's released. If you wait too long it'll be a huge hit and you'll feel like you're seeing it just because "everybody is doing it".
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OTIS premieres at SXSW this weekend from our pals at Raw Nerve, and he happily beats new life into the (well worn) torture genre! Set in a middle class suburbia OTIS tells a story of a deranged psychopath who takes his victims and forces them to be “his girl” while chained up in a secret room in the basement of his house. Sounds like CAPTIVITY, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and even SAW, but what makes this so different and special is that OTIS is actually a dark comedy, with sitcom overtones. Yeah you heard me right, sitcom. I mean this in a good way – it’s reminiscent of the old John Hughes films where all of the adults in the film are playing the show for laughs while the teens are the straight performers. 
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