Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Let's be realistic.

Excellent adaptation.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Urban dweller Lucy is waiting for her sister in a rented secluded cottage in the Rain Forest. Her sister's arrival is delayed and a week in paradise progressively turns out to be a week in hell as she encounters a series of symbolic objects and happenings playing with her nerves and putting her on edge. Is the house haunted? Is she being stalked? Is she deranged and everything only happens in her mind? What is revealed toward the end of this gripping movie is guaranteed to curdle your blood... The allusion to the Little Red Riding Hood in the woods of deep greens is beautifully photographed by László Baranyai and so are the indoor scenes with great use of lighting and clair-obscur. The music composed and performed by Dave Graney & Clare Moore gives at times a clear insight into Lucy's feelings and psyche and other times builds up the suspense and anxiety. Lucy is portrayed with faultless humanity by Adele Perovic. The script by Donna McRae and Michel Vale is minimalist in form but very dense in content. As in Johnny Ghost, Donna McRae's direction is inspired. Sensitive yet firm, she seems to play with the audience, making one feels as isolated, lonely and vulnerable as Lucy. Lucy getting high on pills and champagne for her lonely birthday is shown in a psychedelic style that reminded me of French horror classics of the 70s like Jean Rollin or Joël Sierra. The suspense, isolation and maddening angst are a strong reminder of The Tenant by Roman Polanski.