‘Bad Things’ Review – Hauntingly Intriguing

Synopsis: BAD THINGS follows a group of friends who go to a hotel for a weekend getaway and soon discover that women do bad things here.

More times than you’d like to admit, you’re in the wrong and it’s your fault. Taking accountability is not only important for successful relationships but you’re well-being. It results in trust in those around you along with a sense of security. On the other hand, when you decide to double down and deny that anything is ever your responsibility, you’ll eventually lose every person in your life that is important to you. When people can’t rely on you, they don’t want you around. Your absence is then like you cease to exist. If you cease to exist you might as well be dead. Your detrimental way of living will always result in a negative outcome. You have to do better.

“I do bad things sometimes.”

If you weren’t already weary of secluded Airbnbs or one-off hotels, Comely Suites might make you reconsider. Directed by Stewart Thorndike, Bad Things is hauntingly intriguing. This is definitely a film that will leave you delightfully perplexed as the credits roll and your brain throbs with delirium. Any carefully curated piece of art that makes you feel, good or bad, and has you questioning what you saw is always great. And that’s exactly what this film is, art. This won’t be one of the experiences where you’ll fall in the middle. You’re either on the positive side of the fence or the negative side.

That being said, this queer The Shining-influenced bizarre happening is a dive into personality, trauma, an examination of companionship, and a window into a fractured psyche. What immediately jumps out is that the dynamic of this friend group feels somewhat familiar. Think of Living Single or Friends, the indiscriminate sexual tension and tenuous jealousy between everyone is alive and thriving. And that initial feeling will serve you well for the duration of the film. What begins as calm and tranquil slowly unravels into complete and total madness. Even better, you won’t know who or why until the final splatter of blood lands.

“Mom?!”

Bad Things is immensely atmospheric and eerie. Its Jason Fakler score and cinematography by Grant Greenberg pair perfectly to create an ambiance of unease. Moreover, the execution of its themes are deeply embedded into the fabric of its setting leading to next-day examination. Its nod to classic horror is apparent as it adds its own style and unsettling flare to the genre. It may not immediately register in the mind as the scare-heavy cinema that we are used to as it subverts expectations, however, we forget that fear is a spectrum. I believe that this lands on feelings of unease. Like feeling uncomfortable looking at inanimate objects that are asymmetrical, this may be in the realm of affecting a specific demographic. Nevertheless, it’s a haunting story with an unhinged ending that will shock all. While I do believe that the film could’ve gone in a completely different direction that may have been more widely accepted, the more I think about it, the more I enjoy it. Bad Things is definitely worth a watch, maybe two. Its rewatchability is high.

Pacing & Pop

This film is a slow burn in every sense of the term. From the sparse and subtle ways the characters fully develop to the unrushed walk to its climax, Thorndike makes sure that you feel every shake and bump of this eerie outing. What popped for me was the feeling that this film gave me. The look of shock on my face and the need to discuss it with someone as soon as it was over is something I find delight in.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Gayle Rankin, Hari Nef, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Rad Pereira, Jared Abrahamson, Molly Ringwald

If there was one thing this movie wasn’t lacking, it’s great performances. Gayle Rankin is an explosion of passion and definitely shines through in various unhinged ways. Hari Nef continues to impress with each role and is becoming quite the scene-stealer. Rad Pereira’s jealous and lovelorn performance as Maddie adds a layer of subtle chaos and kicks everything into overdrive. However, Annabelle Dexter-Jones is definitely the standout in this film. You never quite know what she is up to. Is she good? Is she bad? Does she have ill intent? She is very warm and loving but also possibly completely deranged. This cast of characters embodies how fragile a friend group can really be. And lastly, Molly Ringwald is this oddly chilly presence that lingers throughout. She most certainly adds to the film’s madness.

Bad Things begins streaming on SHUDDER and AMC+ on August 18, 2023. Remain safe and if they don’t want to go, don’t go.

Rated: R

Runtime: 1h 25m

Director: Stewart Thorndike

Writer: Stewart Thorndike

Producers: Lizzie Shapiro, Lexi Tannenholtz

Executive Producers: Samuel Zimmerman, Nicholas Lazo, Emily Gotto, David Harari, George Rush, GusDeardoff, George A. Loucas, Matthew Dean Russell, Amy Williams

Director of Photography: Grant Greenberg

Production Designer: Amy Williams

Costume Designer: Nell Simon Editor: Thomas Emmet Ashton, Kathryn Shubert

Composer: Jason Fakler

Associate Producer: Madeline McCloskey