From Epic Pictures and writer/director Rob Grant comes the horror thriller HARPOON. Produced by Kurtis David Harder, Michael Peterson (Knuckleball), the film stars Christopher Gray, Emily Tyra, Munro Chambers and narrator Brett Gelman. The film is now available on demand and in select cinemas. Here is my review:
Rivalries, dark secrets, and sexual tension emerge when three best friends find themselves stranded on a yacht in the middle of the ocean desperate for survival. With plenty of alcohol and very little food and water, emotions run high and their delusions become a reality. As the days stretch on and death seems inevitable, their terrifying truths float to the surface.
Don’t watch the trailer for HARPOON. Don’t even read this review, even though I refuse to spoil Rob Grant’s perfect ocean survival thriller. Don’t do anything but seek out and watch HARPOON immediately because it’s easily one of 2019’s finest films. Three friends with far too much emotional baggage, embark upon a day trip to sea on their rich friend’s boat after a brutal and uncomfortable confrontation kicks off the events which spiral out of control the further HARPOON plunges towards its gruesome endgame.
Munro Chambers is Canada’s best indie actor right now and a force to be reckoned with. He headlined one of my favorite movies OF ALL TIME with Turbo Kid a few years ago and then he shocked and disturbed me BIG TIME in Michael Peterson’s Knuckleball playing a deranged individual. In HARPOON – Chambers flexes all of his acting muscles, playing funny, sympathetic and yes at times… scary. All three actors are amazing, thankfully, because this film is literally THREE people stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean, losing their damn minds. HARPOON is literally the gold standard now for third wheel relationship discomfort… Chambers should be cast in a major flick outside of Canada as fast as possible so more film studios can tap into this actor’s genius. He’s doing things that remind me of Christian Bale in his prime and HARPOON is his finest performance to date.
It’s really hard to talk about HARPOON without spoiling any plot details, but I will say that the balance of black comedy and horror is palpable and with a short runtime of only 80+ minutes, the film never feels like it’s stalling which is the sign of a great script and excellent direction by Rob Grant. HARPOON is a lean mean indie that felt like Reservoir Dogs on a boat. The movie is twisted as Hell, features some of the most cringe-worthy and violent scenes of the year making it truly stand apart from the competition. I’ve heard that HARPOON is better than James Cameron’s TITANIC and all jokes aside, yes it is. It absolutely is and dare I say, this could be the best horror film of 2019, ousting US and IT Chapter Two.
Brett Gelman narrates the film and adds some much-needed humor while also letting the audience in on some dirty secrets and backstory for our three characters. This was a really nice touch and helped excel the film from really good, to really fucking good. Hearing his voice every once in a while helped break up the tension, which was almost unbearable at times as our trio of dysfunctional friends descend into madness. HARPOON is a work of genius and hands down one of the best movies of 2019. Don’t watch the trailer – watch the movie today instead. Trust me.
Rating: 5/5