The Runner (2022)
Directed by: Augustus Muller, Boy Harsher, Jae Matthews
Written by: Augustus Muller, Boy Harsher, Jae Matthews
Starring: Aarron Ricks, Augustus Miller, Cooper B. Helpful, Dylan Stamey, Jae Matthews, James Duval, Kris Esfandiari, Mariana Saldaña, Sigrid Lauren
Written and Directed by Boy Harsher
Streaming on Shudder
THE RUNNER is kind of an uncommon brief movie in that it combines music manufacturing with a horror story to supply a blended narrative that’s each efficient and mesmerising in its execution.
Kris Esfandiari takes on a traditional Italian gothic horror seductress attraction, a la Barbara Steele, because the titular runner we see legging it by means of the woods in the course of the opening scenes, while the haunting vocals of Jae Matthews backed by the moody synth work of Augustus Muller, collectively often called digital music outfit Boy Harsher, act because the storyteller all through the movie’s 38 minute operating time.
Not one of the ‘movie’ characters utter dialogue however the music and lyrics are sufficient to hold the narrative alongside while the visuals deliver to life the struggles our predominant character goes by means of. Now and again, often on the finish of the monitor, we in the reduction of to Matthews, Miller and different members of the musical act as they’re interviewed, documentary type, on their inspiration behind the music. Matthews additionally shares her ideas on ‘the runner’ and the way she will be able to establish along with her. As we see from the movie, the runner isn’t with out guilt, it could appear, as she repeatedly telephones a person throughout occasions of tension and fear. Although we by no means see who’s on the opposite finish of the telephone, it sounds prefer it’s somebody who desires to assist the distressed girl.
THE RUNNER has a really late 70’s/early 80’s aesthetic to it and wouldn’t look misplaced amongst the low price range horror produced throughout that period. We even have MTV-esque music movies aired on TVs dotted all through the brief movie, launched by Pam Dillis (performed by Instagram comic Lauren Servideo). Each the host and the next performances on the movies are soooo 80’s, with Boy Harsher offering the music with Mariana Saldaña featured on monitor ‘Machina’, that it actually brings a sure vibe to the film that’s concurrently surreal but hypnotic and helps to craft the movie into this distinctive mix of storytelling.
Unbelievable fashionable and an assault on the senses, THE RUNNER is a triumph in bringing two mediums collectively and permitting them to share centre stage equally. As a fan of each horror and 80’s synth music, I couldn’t be extra delighted to have come throughout this gem and the darkwave music of Boy Harsher.
