"THE BEST OF WALTON STREET" (2024) Juxstaposes The Harsh Reality Of The Unhoused With A Malvolent Werewolf (REVIEW)

If you’re familiar with Skid Row, the unhoused community that occupies a section of downtown Los Angeles, then you are aware of the real-life “horror” it represents. Travelers who poured in with big dreams were met with disappointment and were left to find their way on the streets. Introduce drugs into the mix, as well as a growing number of people with mental health issues who were dropped off within the “contained” area, and you create a community that society deemed as “undesirables” who are left to fend for themselves. Many people within the LGBTQ community have felt pushed out and alone, and after seeing a documentary on Skid Row, writer/director Dusty Austen was inspired to create her own story on the homeless community - and throw in a werewolf.

The story follows Constance (Athena Murzda) and Percy, aka Sketch (Mia Jones), two young females who fend for themselves on the streets of an Ohio town. As the homeless population is ravaged by brutal deaths in the dead of winter, the two women defend their turf and fight back against the deadly creature. 

With the inspiration in mind, it’s a fitting story for a werewolf film, while simultaneously shedding light on a global problem regarding a forgotten community. However, the result somewhat fails to deliver the whole package, as it focuses mostly on the two friends as opposed to the werewolf. The banter between the girls is pretty mundane, not that funny, but never reaches an entirely serious level either. The tone comes across as if they are reading from a script, never providing a sense of depth to their characters. After the first encounter with the werewolf, one of the girls decides to focus on an injured breast while the other is voicing what just happened in a way too calm tone. It’s possible this scene was meant to be funny, but goes on way too long, and just ends and moves on to the next scene.

The script dabbles in serious matters, such as the character Sketch, who is mentioned quite a few times that she doesn’t have long to live, which prompts Constance to look out for her, getting her medication, as well as making sure they are warm and fed, no matter what it takes. When they are confronting these issues in conversation, everything seems very nonchalant, as if they could be discussing their period cycles or their latest crush. When the werewolf comes into play, the threat feels pushed aside, as they seem to easily run away in times of peril, and then go on to have a completely different conversation for another 10-15 minutes. There is also the ex-girlfriend that Constance continuously obsesses over, which doesn’t go anywhere to carry the story. 

The cinematography is well done for the location, granting the stage for the situation. The desolate winter streets provide isolation, showcasing how alone the community is. The scenes at the walk-in clinic, despite the dialogue having a less serious tone, seem sad, as there is never anyone behind the counter to help, just a sign that states to “Stand Behind the Line”, something the local community seems to be used to. The werewolf is shown in vague closeups, having an impressive set of teeth, but otherwise, looked like a man in a suit, so most attack scenes were super up close and choppy, or off camera altogether. 

The story does show potential, as it has a good message behind it. Being a horror fan, Austen does add a special touch fans will appreciate, which is Constance’s bat, modeled after the one seen in the 1985 film “Silver Bullet.” Unfortunately, the package didn’t come together as a whole, as it had moments of trying to be comedic, serious, as well as scary, but wasn’t able to achieve the full potential of these three elements. There was too much unnecessary dialogue, and not enough emotion to provide investment into these characters. Austen and co-writer Athena Murzda are on the right track with their ideas, they just need some tweaking for their stories to fully come together.  It will be exciting to see what they come up with next. 

Last Rites:

Director - Dusty Austen

Writer - Dusty Austen & Athena Murzda

Starring - Athena Murzda, Mia Jones, Aaron Pagniano

Where to Watch - Special Edition Blu-Ray available for pre-order through Scream Team Releasing on November 10

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