Ever felt lost as to where you’re heading in life or what the next step should be? What if, in a completely opposite and disorienting direction, you couldn’t remember who you are and what you’re all about? Add to that a seemingly impossible missing person’s search and a haunting beast as the cherry on top, and you’ve got the recipe for the Canadian film “Kryptic,” which made its Quebec premiere at Montreal’s Fantasia Festival.
On an organized hiking trip in the woods, Kay (Chloe Pirrie) has an encounter with a terrifying, legendary creature that totally wipes out her mind. She forgets who she is, has to relearn aspects of her life, and becomes suddenly obsessed with finding missing cryptozoologist Barbara Valentine, who has been missing for 3 years. In the midst of the whirlwind she finds herself in, trying to process what her career actually is and who these people claiming to be her colleagues and friends are, an intruder breaks into her home at night. In a panic, she goes on the run, searching for her true self and being drawn back into the woods with the single goal of finding Barbara Valentine. Every enigmatic character she accidentally stumbles upon possesses more and more cryptic clues that slowly unravel who she truly is. Did we mention there’s also a series of slimy, gooey, sexual encounters intertwined into all of this? Meanwhile, it remains unknown if she is growing closer to the whereabouts of Barbara or if she’s actually drawing nearer to the infamous, mystical beast that still lurks in the still of the night.
Writer Paul Bromley and director Kourtney Roy collaborate together for their very first feature film debut in “Kryptic.” After the main character’s brief encounter with the beast, both the script and directing harmoniously and voluntarily inject the audience with a complete sense of loss in the first act, since, like the amnesic Kay, viewers are learning the details of her life for the very first time. It feels like jumping into the body of someone, mid-week, but having no idea where you’re supposed to go, who you’re supposed to meet, and what you’re supposed to do. The screenplay is beautifully woven together where the audience begins, just like Kay, in a state of disorientation before falling into a pattern of mysterious signs that bring her closer to who she is, to the culmination of her sudden obsession with a cryptozoologist, as well as the haunting creature of the forest. Nearly every aspect of the script, although becoming more predictable as the tale rolls on, melds together. For those who become disappointed that they foresee explanations and outcomes in the script, the excellent performance of the cast makes it all fall into place beautifully nonetheless.
With the help of a gripping soundtrack performed by composer Cayne McKenzie and visually appealing cinematography by director of photography David Bird, director Kourtney Roy does a phenomenal job at holding the reins of her very first feature film. She already has a strong sense of the use of music, as well as silence, at the appropriate moments to create an increasingly threatening feeling within the viewers. Roy ensures that, although the first few individuals Kay encounters are frivolous and entertaining, the encounters she continues to make on her blind journey of self-discovery and search for the truth become increasingly darker and threatening, as does the mood of the film altogether.
The entire cast, from start to finish, from lead role to secondary to some of the more insignificant ones, is no less than solid. Their performances are genuine, charismatic, and enigmatic all at once. In spite of the fact that she is most definitely well-surrounded and supported throughout the complete motion picture, Chloe Pirrie delivers a phenomenal portrayal of a character-evolving woman who progresses from one state of mind to the next, each time gaining confidence and self-affirmation of who she is.
“Kryptic” is somewhat not a perfect film all-around, however. While the very few practical effects, especially during the slimy sex scenes, seem decent, the CGI used here and there throughout the film feels amateurish and obvious. Additionally, if you came into “Kryptic” expecting a full-out horror movie, you’ll most likely be let down in that facet as well, as in its 96 minutes of runtime, there is barely any horror aspect at all within the first hour. Luckily, the scenario, actors’ performances, and brilliant directing may hypnotize most horror fans into being satisfied nonetheless. Come for the horror; stay for the mystery and character portrayals.
If you’re looking for a great science-fiction thriller, then “Kryptic” is what you’re looking for. It shyly dips its toes into the vast ocean of horror but doesn’t quite fully dive into it. Its score, mesmerizing cinematography, intriguing screenplay, and masterful directing are sure to keep the audience captivated nonetheless. Kourtney Roy definitely has a promising future in the suspense and science-fiction world, but we’d surely love to see her get her hands on a more sinister scenario that’s ready to take the horror world by storm.
“Kryptic” receives the score of 3.5 eyes out of 5.
