Yeeaahh...Don't expect to see lots of these guys.
10/11/10
End of the Line (2007)
EOTL is another treat from Canadian filmmaker Maurice Deveraux. The first film of his (that I saw), Slashers, was an interesting low-budget jab at the reality game show phenomenon that was taking off in the early 2000’s. This time, he sets his sights on religion. And you have to admire a filmmaker that isn’t afraid to actually attempt to “say” something with his horror flick. What, exactly, does he have to say, though? Good question.
The director freely admits to being an atheist and says that this is a movie that represents what scares him. Perhaps that is why I found it so compelling. I’m not an atheist, but organized religion can be frightening. But I’m not here to judge what others choose to believe. I’m here to judge a movie.
The movie follows Karen, who is accosted by an unpleasant man on the subway platform. She is rescued by fellow traveler Mike. Things get bizarre when the train they board stops in the middle of the tunnels and Mike is attacked by a lady with a cross/knife. On other parts of the train, others are attacked by more people with the same cross/knifey things. Eventually, the “normal” people run off into the tunnels while pursued by the religious psychopaths. Holing up with two subway workers, the group soon learns that the entire city is being attacked by the holy freaks who believe Armageddon is upon us . Can everyone in the group be trusted? Can they make it out of the subways alive? And if they do, how will they survive the onslaught of hundreds of thousands more fanatics above ground?
So, besides the idea of a fanatical group of religious zealots, does the movie work?
Boo!
Absolutely.
This movie kicks in right from the beginning and never really lets up. At around the 35 minute mark, I began to worry. I knew that the movie had to let the audience rest and I was afraid it might not be able to sustain the tense atmosphere if it did. However, the movie kept chugging right along all the way to the end.
I can’t really discuss more of the plot in detail, as it’s really something you have to experience for yourself. There are, however, some very well done and bloody practical FX. And the camera-work and acting never really betray the films low-budget origins. It’s just a well crafted film all the way around.
One thing that very nearly ruined it, though, was the ending. As it neared, I knew that it would either disappoint or infuriate me. At first, I was kinda pissed off. But as I thought about it, things started to fall into place. This is not a movie that will spell it out for you and if you’re not paying attention, you probably WILL get pissed off. As it is, I can’t wait to watch it again and be able to put it all together from the start.
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5
Nix says: Great writing really elevates this beyond your typical low-budget straight to DVD flick. (Oh and any movie that can get me with a jump scare that actually makes me jump, automatically gets a solid point in its’ favor.)
Wha?
Bad Movie Virus 