The plot of "The Secret Cinema" is a clever one, sort of in the vein of "The Truman Show" but with major stylistic and tonal differences. It is a small scale indie horror comedy that plays with genre and self awareness to a mind boggling and extremely entertaining extent. There are moments of hilarity and moments of genuine horror (particularly the ending), and the entire film encompasses a bizarre, Gothic atmosphere. It is shot beautifully no matter how low quality the print you watch it on is; the lighting is often dark and shadowy and it has a charmingly amateurish feeling about it. The story's increase in intensity never terminates its comedy, and vice versa; the two coexist in a manner accomplished by few other films of its genre.
In its own, unconventional and fresh way, "The Secret Cinema" tells a fun, "Twilight Zone"-type story and taking full advantage of it. Its as if Rod Serling decided it was time to broadcast an episode that functioned as an avant garde art-house black comedy mystery horror movie...and, simply put, it's really, really great!
In its own, unconventional and fresh way, "The Secret Cinema" tells a fun, "Twilight Zone"-type story and taking full advantage of it. Its as if Rod Serling decided it was time to broadcast an episode that functioned as an avant garde art-house black comedy mystery horror movie...and, simply put, it's really, really great!