The Strings (2021) RLJE Films
Directed By: Ryan Glover
Starring: Teagan Johnston, Jenna Schaefer
Plot Summary: In the dead of winter, a young musician named Catherine (Teagan Johnston) goes to an isolated cottage to work on a new album. She soon finds that she is not entirely alone when an unknown presence is with her.
The second feature film from writer, director Ryan Glover, The Strings is certainly what I would call a slow-burn. Glover crafts a movie that is as chilling and ice cold as its stark winter landscape setting. It feels like it recalls the ghost stories of M.R James. In fact, its isolated dunes and mysterious unseen figure feel like perhaps a nod to his short story “Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad”. In any case, this kind of stripped back, bare-bones ghost story is what I think is so engaging about The Strings. Sadly though, I don’t think Glover knows exactly what he wants to do with it. So, I’m gonna be totally honest, had The Strings been released ten or fifteen years ago it would be at least a solid cult film if not regarded as a minor classic.
The problem is, in a post Studio A24 landscape, the blending of mental health and horror is commonplace. Therefore, I really was struggling to see what makes this movie standout in terms of narrative and theme. It doesn’t help that the filmmakers dig themselves into a repetitive rut with scenes that feel like filler. Even as someone who doesn’t mind slowly paced films, I found things to get tedious. I can certainly see what Glover was aiming for, which is taking supernatural elements and wrapping it up in a snapshot of a woman at a crossroads both creatively and emotionally. This on the face of it could have been great but again, it’s really nothing that hasn’t already been explored in a more interesting and thoughtful way. Hell, this could have made a damn brilliant short film instead of stretched out to feature length.
On the plus side, the film is well made from a technical standpoint. Glover uses his background as a DP to really conjure up a slick and highly haunting looking film. Indeed, I thought the harsh winter setting is an easy but highly effective way of evoking an atmosphere on a budget. I feel like it’s only right to give the filmmakers a huge amount of credit for how cleverly the movie was constructed during the global pandemic. Furthermore, the cast is small but damned impressive. Teagan Johnston is great in the lead and I think her performance goes a long way in helping smooth over the rough edges. The fact that she also has a music writing credit is all the more impressive. It’s frustrating because I can see that Ryan is a really good filmmaker. Truth be told, it pains me to be critical because I certainly can see the artistic merits behind The Strings. But I just felt disconnected at times which stems from pacing.
Though, I think it’s worth noting that the ending is effectively handled. The Strings is a mixed bag but lacks some standout moments for me.
Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
