Triangle (2009)
Genre: Horror
Format: DVD
Director: Christopher Smith
Just when you think that there is nothing new that can be brought to the table when it comes to the horror genre, something absolutely brilliant like Triangle comes along. Writer/Director Christopher Smith is not a stranger when it comes to revitalizing and redefining what a horror movie is capable of - his previous project was Severance that mixed humor and horror in a refreshing way - but this latest attempt of his is indeed truly remarkable.
Triangle is a difficult to review because of its gimmick-heavy storyline. It should be enough for me to say that the movie transcends its horror origin and becomes something that leans more towards a thought-provoking and heavy-handed insight into life's regrets. The movie follows a single mother of an autistic boy who has been invited to join a group of friends on a sailing adventure. They were eventually stuck in the middle of an electric storm but was able to board a large cruiser that was seemingly abandoned except for a mysterious figure with murderous intentions. The movie is part scary, part confusing, and part heart-breaking. The subsequent changes in its pace felt natural and when it all came together in the end - assuming that you understand the movie's true meaning - you will be impressed that Smith was able to get a horror movie out of the tale to begin with.
There are some minor imperfections in the movie and they are all related to the rather unconvincing special effect scenes. Also, it is very strange that Smith decided to write about a bunch of Americans with a cast full of Australians. The movie could definitely work if it took place in Australia or the United Kingdom. The movie wasn't made with a lot of money but the strength of the cast - especially the single mom played by Melissa George - as well as the smart storytelling made all of the movie's problems forgivable. This is one of the best horror movies I have ever seen and it's one that will haunt you for the rest of your life in an unexpected way.
RATING: 5 out of 5
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