Directed by Ritchie Moore, Who's Watching Oliver is an indie horror film that stars Sarah M. Lane, Margaret Roche, and Russel G. Banks as the titular character. Now I'm going to be completely honest and say that Sarah M. Lane is in fact the reason that I watched this flick. When it came to that point, I began to wonder what she'd bring to the table. And as the film went on, she, surprisingly enough, did not disappoint. She was full of charisma in almost every scene she was in as the love-interest, Sophia.
Now with said actress out of the way, I should obviously share my thoughts on the star himself. I'm not too familiar with him, but Russel G. Banks was (again, surprisingly) beyond spot-on as the titular character. When he first appeared onscreen, I didn't know what to expect from him. At first, he seemed like the typical modern-day incel. But as the film went on, I actually grew to sympathize with him; I'll even go as far as to say that I was actually rooting for him at one point.
Now with all of that said, my one and only critisism with the film lies with the after-credit-scene. I mean, come on, the film (at least, to me) had the perfect conclusion. During the climax, Oliver contemplates on taking the life of Sophia by his own mother's orders; she, of course, was pulling the strings throughout. Even Sophia herself gives in and encourages Oliver to do it. But said character (seemingly enough) puts his foot down and refuses to commit the act, leading both him and her to close the laptop (which he and his mother have been using to communicate with) down. It then (seemingly) ends with the couple making sweet, sweet love. And as soon as the credits started rolling, that was enough for me to give it a solid 8/10.
I then went to use the bathroom, but when I got back, I was quite shocked to find out that there was actually an after-credit-scene, and that is where my biggest gripe lands. Now, if you haven't seen the film (all the way through), let's just say that it is one of the biggest middle-finger-to-the-audience-moments I have ever seen on screen; had it not been for those last fifteen seconds, I would've given the film said rating.
My final verdict, 7.5/10
Now with said actress out of the way, I should obviously share my thoughts on the star himself. I'm not too familiar with him, but Russel G. Banks was (again, surprisingly) beyond spot-on as the titular character. When he first appeared onscreen, I didn't know what to expect from him. At first, he seemed like the typical modern-day incel. But as the film went on, I actually grew to sympathize with him; I'll even go as far as to say that I was actually rooting for him at one point.
Now with all of that said, my one and only critisism with the film lies with the after-credit-scene. I mean, come on, the film (at least, to me) had the perfect conclusion. During the climax, Oliver contemplates on taking the life of Sophia by his own mother's orders; she, of course, was pulling the strings throughout. Even Sophia herself gives in and encourages Oliver to do it. But said character (seemingly enough) puts his foot down and refuses to commit the act, leading both him and her to close the laptop (which he and his mother have been using to communicate with) down. It then (seemingly) ends with the couple making sweet, sweet love. And as soon as the credits started rolling, that was enough for me to give it a solid 8/10.
I then went to use the bathroom, but when I got back, I was quite shocked to find out that there was actually an after-credit-scene, and that is where my biggest gripe lands. Now, if you haven't seen the film (all the way through), let's just say that it is one of the biggest middle-finger-to-the-audience-moments I have ever seen on screen; had it not been for those last fifteen seconds, I would've given the film said rating.
My final verdict, 7.5/10