Halloween is over but creepy monster films can be enjoyed all year round. It’s actually ironic that I was recently doing a Top 10 Zombie films and expressed that I didn’t know too many werewolf stories when ‘I Am Lisa’ figuratively got dropped off on my desk. I Am Lisa is an indie film written by Eric Winkler and directed by Patrick Rea. It stars [the amazing] Kristen Vaganos as Lisa. A bookshop worker/owner who is just living this simple life in a town run by a very corrupt sheriff. When Lisa attempts to report an assault to the sheriff, things go from bad to worse and Lisa’s life is changed forever.
Mild Spoilers
I Am Lisa is very much an indie film, but has some of the best production value of any indie film I’ve seen. It’s got great scenery and music. While it doesn’t have the budget that a movie like Halloween Kills would have, it does what it can with the money it has. And I think it works. Rather than relying on crappy CGI, I Am Lisa uses practical effects, make up, and mysterious lighting to set the mood. While we don’t ever see a full-on wolf in this film, we see Vaganos go through the transformation of becoming a werewolf – as well as discovering the strength and abilities she now has.
The characters in I Am Lisa are most likely a product of a poor rural town that just breeds corruption. Lisa has a dispute with the sheriff’s daughter – who can only be described as a “sadistic bitch” – and tries to report it to the sheriff. We can see where Jessica (the sheriff’s daughter) gets her warped [or no] sense of morals. Because the sheriff thinks that something so small as Lisa’s complaint warrants beating up Lisa, having her son rape Lisa, and then leaving her in the woods to be devoured by wolves. Rather than being eaten by wolves, Lisa’s bit and thus, her transformation begins.
Lisa does have friends in this film. Her friendship with Sam is a pure and important one and luckily never dives into the stereotypical drama setting of tearing them apart. The character Mary is also very helpful in guiding Lisa in the right direction. Because, wouldn’t you be confused if you suddenly started craving blood and could literally twist someone’s head to face backward?
Rating: 4/5
I personally liked I Am Lisa. As someone who isn’t really isn’t werewolves or horror films, it was perfect for me. There were still bloody scenes and even scenes I had to look away from. And there were some awesome kills in this film – one involving a deep fryer. What was the best thing about this film is Vaganos herself. No, I’m not just saying that because I interviewed her. I genuinely think Vaganos owned this role and brought a really human aspect to a monster film. It would be great to see Vaganos in even bigger roles as I think she has the ability to own the screen and a lead role.
I Am Lisa is definitely something you should watch if you’re into indie horror films. Even if you aren’t, it’s still a great project to sink your teeth in. I Am Lisa is currently playing in select theaters, as well as drive-in theaters!
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