Skew

(2011) ***1/2

Rich and Eva, along with their mutual friend, Simon, embark on a cross-country road trip. Despite numerous requests to stop filming, Simon documents their entire trip with his new video camera. Skew is about the footage found in Simon’s camera. The trio initially hit popular (lame) tourist attractions along the way (e.g. the world’s largest Viking head, etc) and goof around although there is some tension due to Simon's refusal to discuss suspected problems that he is having with his girlfriend, who happens to be Eva’s best friend.


"Simon, if you don't turn off that goddamn camera I'm going to kick your ass!"

Things become strange after Simon films a convenience store man whose face is distorted on the video. Soon after, this man is found dead. Slowly Simon figures out that he has in his possession a camera of death and whoever is distorted on film will die shortly thereafter. Simon quickly disposes the camera and the film ends. Just kidding; why would Simon behave like a normal person? Simon continues to film until the story’s grisly conclusion.


Seriously, Simon, turn off the camera!

This indie film has a lot going for it including likable actors, a good mystery, and a few solid jolts. Sure The Ring already used this idea a decade ago, but it’s a good, creepy idea! Rather than assume the audience is stupid, director Seve Schelenz crafts his story in a subtle manner, which I found refreshing. We are not given in-your-face exposition about the characters and their motivations but rather a mélange of understated scenes that slowly build to help us understand the nature of their complicated relationships. The greatest joy, of course, is waiting to see whose face is going to be distorted. In every scene I found myself squinting at the screen as the camera panned by various people and crowds. This one is fun.