Surveillance (2008)

Surveillance is a dark and disturbing film with some horror movie elements, but I hesitate to label it a horror film.  However, I feel fans of the horror genre would find much to appreciate in this twisted story from David Lynch’s daughter, Jennifer Lynch.

Bill Pullman and Julia Ormond play FBI agents investigating a series of murders in a crusty redneck desert town.  Who was murdered, how it happened, and who was responsible is kept in mystery for the majority of the film.  The mystery slowly unfolds as the agents separate and question three witnesses that were victims of a surprising moment of carnage.

Though the cast is very solid, Bill Pullman stands out as a very strange person with fascinating character quirks.  He’s fun to watch, much like his character in Suspect Zero.  The action/horror scenes are fast and furious.  The film does a good job of keeping a constant gritty, tense, and mean atmosphere.  The very sadistic final third of the film may very well leave you with a knot in your stomach.

Though it’s difficult trying to unravel the mystery at foot, several scenes give slight clues that make if fun to guess.  That brings me to the only semi flaw of the film, the final twist may be a little out there for some people even though it’s not paranormal.  For my part, I liked the twist even if it’s not exactly something that happens everyday.  It is a movie after all.

In the end, I think this was a great film that far surpasses many entries in the horror genre, even though; it might not be considered a horror film to all.  No hockey masks or half naked chicks running through the woods.  I hope Jennifer Lynch continues to make movies like this, and not her absolutely abysmal first film Boxing Helena.  If she continues to improve like this, one day she may be considered on par with her father.

Surveillance:  B+