DRAMA. “Twinless.” / “Hoard.” / “The Infernal Machine.” / “American Woman.” / “Driftwood” / “The Sleepwalker.” / “Bellflower.”

“Twinless” (2025, Hulu) psychological black comedy. Two young men, Roman and Dennis, meet in a grief support group and form an unlikely friendship, which is complicated by lies, secrets, and an unexpected connection to the past. 

       First, I don't see or feel “psychological” or “black comedy” in this meandering indie. 

       I don't question James Sweeney cluelessly nonchalant Dennis or Dylan O'Brien's intensely sensitive Roman/Rocky but their characters offer no twists or new angling, anyhow. And as expected, critics praise this correctness lecture due to the obvious. That's it. 

       But still a promising attempt by James Sweeney, writer and director. 🎥💻📽

“Hoard” (2023, Amazon Prime) British coming-of-age drama about a teenager whose mother used to be an obsessive hoarder as she journeys through childhood trauma and emerging sexuality. 

       This indie won several awards in Europe. Critics praised the “deeply strange and emotionally extravagant story.” Yet this sort of project exemplifies the current “fad” that anything unordinary, fringy, and adventurously beyond the grain--is a cool movie. 

        Anyhow, I don't question the involved performance by Saura Lightfoot Leon. She has the right intensity, searching innocence, and defiant charm that fits her Mariah 🎥💻📽

“The Infernal Machine” (2022, Paramount+) psychological mystery thriller. A reclusive and controversial author of the famed book “The Infernal Machine,” is drawn out of hiding when he begins to receive endless letters from an obsessive fan. 

       Stars Guy Pearce as confused and bothered Bruce Cogburn. Mr Pearce essentially keeps this drama thriller above the derivative stereotypes of “bestselling author gone in isolation” story. Based on a story written by Louis Kornfeld, writer/director Andrew Hunt turned a tired template into an entertaining (almost) one-man show. It worked. 🎥💻📽

“American Woman” (2018, Amazon Prime) drama film. A woman raises her grandson after her daughter goes missing. 

       A woman's emotional journey, from non-closure of the years-long wound inflicted by a missing daughter, exacerbated by failed relationships with men. Sienna Miller's valiant performance as Deborah is the life of this movie, written by Brad Ingelsby, whose projects included the fine “Mare of Easttown” (2021). 🎥💻📽

“Driftwood” (2016, Tubi) drama thriller. A young woman washes ashore on a remote beach and is taken in by an older, solitary man. As she convalesces in his cabin, the nature of their relationship shifts from that of a "savior and saved" to "captor and captive," challenging traditional ideas of gender roles and patriarchy. 

       This intriguing movie, written and directed by Paul Taylor, won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival for best narrative feature. This debut work by Mr Taylor also won the Golden Strands Excellence in the Art of Filmmaking award at the 2016 Tallgrass Film Festival. and the Programmer's Award at the 2016 Virginia Film Festival.

       Repeat. intriguing. And quite different from the usual fringe indie fare. Although I don't understand the rationale behind the no-talky bit, I commend the acting of Joslyn Jensen and Paul C. Kelly. 🎥💻📽

“The Sleepwalker” (2014, Plex) drama. About a young couple who are renovating a secluded family estate. Their lives are violently disrupted upon the unexpected arrival of a sister and her fiancé. 

       This debut work by Mona Fastvold can be seen as complex but I don't think it is “promising” as how some critics rate it. No problem with the ensemble performance. Focused and intense but not too hysterical, given the dramatic feed. But other than the sleepwalking and arguments, which are not so big a deal, nothing really happens in this lazy joint. 🎥💻📽

“Bellflower” (2011, Pluto TV) drama thriller. Two friends migrate to Los Angeles from Wisconsin, constructing weapons and testing them out in empty lots. 

       The film was nominated for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for best feature film made for under $500,000. For such a slim budget and a flimsy story about two slackers, this indie is a magnetic watch. The pace is frenetically active, the engagements are hot.

       Writer/director Evan Glodell, who is also the lead character Woodrow, has obvious talent. The co-performers are also “unknowns” but they can all act. 🎥💻📽