Lowlifes is a Canadian horror movie directed by Tesh Guttikonda, and the cast includes Amanda Fix, Matthew MacCaull, Brenna Llewellyn, Elyse Levesque and Josh Zaharia.
Who knew a Tubi original could be this decent?
Lowlifes is a film takes a bold detour from standard horror fare as it kicks off with a tense chase through the woods, where a man frantically tries to flee from an unseen threat, but before long, he's swiftly taken out, and we’re introduced to a family on a camping trip in those very same woods.
This seemingly typical family includes Keith, the organized and diligent dad who’s manning the barbecue; Kathleen, the caring mom; Amy, the rebellious teen; and Jeffrey, the energetic younger son looking for his father's approval.
Just as we get comfortable with this family setup and anticipate the usual horror movie clichés, we meet two local characters, Vern and Billy who are out looking for their missing brother, Melior.
Lowlifes breaks away from typical expectations, turning a story that seems to be about city people terrorized by country folk into something entirely different and this shift in the narrative adds a welcome layer of unpredictability hat keeps you guessing, and the characters feel fairly engaging, even as things spiral into chaos, as they fully embracing the film’s dark and twisted journey.
I won’t spoil too much, but the twist comes early on, changing the game and making the story even more unpredictable and from this point on, the movie evolves into a gritty and intense experience, with every character pushed to their limits and the gore is substantial and pretty well-executed, adding to the overall impact without overwhelming the plot, and it's a film that takes a hard left turn and says fuck you I don't give a shit about your expectations.
The cast also put in some strong performances. Matthew Macaull stands out with a powerful performance, transitioning seamlessly from calm to chaos and Amanda Fix’s portrayal of Amy is particularly gripping, as she navigates the film’s twists with emotional precision.
Brenna Llewellyn is notable for her role as one of the locals, showing impressive resilience in a physically demanding part, while Richard Harmon, though in a smaller role, leaves a memorable mark with his distinctive presence.
The cinematography was well done too, capturing the remote, isolated setting well, adding tension by making it clear that the characters have nowhere to run, and the framing enhances this sense of entrapment, effectively pulling the viewer into their predicament.
Now, the real surprise here?
Lowlifes caught me off guard, as I went in with low expectations, but ended up being a film that really pulled me in, and it doesn’t try to be what you think it’s gonna be, as it plays with your expectations, then laughs in your face while it takes you down a darker, more disturbing path.
Is it perfect? No. It’s got a couple of pacing issues here and there, and at times, the dialogue feels like it’s trying a bit too hard, but it certainly wasn't enough to bother me.
But for a film that could’ve easily been a by the numbers flick, it ends up being something way more than that, and if you're looking for a movie that surprises the hell out of you, Lowlifes is worth the watch.
It's a fun mix of comedy and horror that keeps you entertained the whole way through, and the plot twist is a great surprise, helping to make the story even more interesting, and while the movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it delivers exactly what it promises.
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