VOD from the Dead - THE QUARRY (EN EL POZO)
The horror genre often gets maligned for being redundant, and to some extent, that’s a pretty fair accusation. As a shill for the genre as a whole, and even more so for some sub-genres, I’ll be the first to admit that there is a lot of repetition in horror. Some of this can be explained by its low-budget backbone that has driven interest for decades from the likes of legends such as Roger Corman, Tobe Hooper, and even regional horror heroes such as Don Dohler or the infamous Ryan Nicholson.
In tandem with that, we horror fans can’t seem to get enough of it. Some of us actually prefer the more amateurish approaches over the gloss and sheen of Hollywood-sized budgets, and I’d say most of us fall somewhere in the middle where there is an appreciation for both without a strong preference for one over the other.
The trade-off for this embarrassment of riches is that the quality is often a crap-shoot with some films having more authenticity and hear than others, while some are merely trying to cash in on crazes to make quick bucks off the zeitgeist. The thing is though, despite this onslaught of similarity there are still perfectly wonderful examples of how to do each sub-genre well, even if it doesn’t innovate or move the genre forward in any way.
An analogy I’m sure I’ve used here before relates to cooking. The best chefs are not judged by their most complex dishes, rather, it’s their ability to do the simple ones extremely well. Just like a great horror film, it doesn’t have to break new ground if it takes good care of the ground it’s treading on. In the case of THE QUARRY (EN EL POZO) from Uruguay we are treated to another entry in the “friends turned enemies” sub-genre of horror thrillers.
Does THE QUARRY break new ground, nail the fundamentals, or is it just another example of quantity over quality in a crowded genre?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A rural girl introduces her new city boyfriend to her small-town friends by arranging a picnic in the countryside. But as jealousies are revealed and bonds are broken, the day swiftly spirals into murder.
HOW IS IT?
Albert Eienstein is credited for saying “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” While this sentiment can’t be applied across all horror films, it is a sentiment that could certainly benefit many horror films. With regards to THE QUARRY, simplicity is what makes the film so much more effective than others like it. When I first read the premise for THE QUARRY, I was not impressed. It’s a story we’ve seen before and I (wrongfully) classified it as just another direct to streaming thriller. The thing is, sometimes the simplest stories can be the most effective, especially when they are orchestrated in the right way.
So while the story of jealousy and relationships is by far not unique, the execution of that story, and the surprises within it, are what keep your attention. Like so many indie horror films these days, this is a scrappy film that uses a great location and compelling characters to create the illusion of scale without having the need for a massive budget. The rock quarry where 95% of the action takes place is an interesting setting made more fascinating by the mythos that is created around it. It’s the kind of local legend that anyone who grew up in a small town would be familiar with. In this case, the rock quarry is the site of a now defunct mine which left in its wake a body of water that mysteriously goes from shallow-to-deep in one step, and it littered with remnants of a mining operation that is no longer in existence.
This location does not appear threatening, but the stories the characters tell each about the legends surrounding the quarry certainly drape a menacing tone over a seemingly innocent place.
In movies where action comes mostly from the drama, the interaction of the characters is central to getting the viewer onboard. Indie horror has a reputation for being a mixed bag of talent on the acting front and while that may be true for other films it most certainly is not for THE QUARRY. The four friends, well, three friends and a boyfriend, are relatable and believable throughout even when things go south. In fact, so much of what works about THE QUARRY is just how believable everything is.
Take a similar movie like SUPER DARK TIMES. The moment when the proverbial shit hits the fan was shocking because it felt so grounded, as if it was ripped right out of a recent news story. The difference here is that in SUPER DARK TIMES, what happens after that shocking event drags the entire thing down with its absurdity. In THE QUARRY, a similar “what the fuck” moment occurs and the film spirals out of control but never out of the realm of believability. Much of this is a credit to the great chemistry between all of the characters, even the ones that don’t like each other, because without that it the final act of the film would seem far-fetched.
Those that have read my reviews before know that I have a preference for films that clock in at 90 minutes or less. It’s not because I don’t like movies longer than that, it’s just that so many movies pad their runtime which often impacts the pacing and overall energy of the film.
THE QUARRY knows that it’s story is a small one and doesn’t need to overemphasize the simplicity of the plot by padding it with needless dialogue or exposition. In fact, it’s quite impressive that in under 80 minutes there is so much depth for the characters. Considering the film is primarily focused on these four people talking, the tension between some of the characters takes the monotony of friendly discussion into the arena of dramatic intrigue which rewards the viewer with a third act twist that caused me to audibly belt out, “holy fucking shit”.
Since we don’t do spoilers here at MACABRE DAILY, I’ll defer from talking more about this, but as I mentioned in the previous paragraph it will catch you off guard and make you gasp. The only downside to a movie like this that is so well paced and simple is that it may not have the re-watchability to catapult it into cult classic status. That said, if enough time passes between re-watches one may forget the twists and turns and be wholly bought in time and time again. Credit goes to the writing and directing duo BERNARDO ANTONACCIO and RAFAEL ANTONACCIO for crafting a provocative story that never overstays its welcome and captures your interest throughout.
LAST RITES
THE QUARRY is a perfect example of how to make an effective and grounded indie horror film that uses great characters with escalating personal tension to drive home a shocking turn of events in a tight 77-minutes. High recommend and I can’t wait to see what BERNARDO ANTONACCIO and RAFAEL ANTONACCIO do next!
THE GORY DETAILS
Directed By
Written By
Starring
Where can you watch it?
THE QUARRY IS AVAILABLE TO BUY ON DVD FROM AMAZON, WALMART AND DEEP DISCOUNT. THE FILM WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO STREAM AND DOWNLOAD FROM AMAZON.
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