My quick rating - 4.1/10. So which one of the filmmakers was in a toxic relationship before? The phrase "Why don't you just leave?" hit me particularly hard during one elongated scene where she and a paramedic had all the time in the world to get out. When Dakota (Paige Gilmour) tries to break off her toxic relationship with Axel (Shane Quigley Murphy), it starts transforming him into a monstrous creature. He gradually succumbs to the poison of the decaying relationship, becoming a creature with increased aggression, a touch that melts skin, and worst of all, he's contagious. This flick appears to want you to feel sorry for Dakota right off the bat and sympathize with her situation. The way the characters were written, I cannot see why anyone would side with either of them. The story is simple and relatable so I am sure many people will identify with one or the other in some ways. I did appreciate the manifestation of the toxicity in how it actually appeared. The effects were well done considering I am sure they were on a shoestring budget. It also appears that writer/directors Alix Austin and Keir Siewert know a thing or two about these types of relationships hence my first thought during my viewing of this. Maybe there is more to there production company? Not like it would matter if they are a couple or not since previous experience would be plenty to foster up this narrative. The actors in this did just fine considering it is mainly a two-person show and had they slacked it wouldn't have been entertaining at all. The downward transformation into violence with the only other people involved was necessary to show off the corrosive depth it had taken, especially in Axel. To the point of burning flesh through touch which was a creative addition that was used well. Overall I thought it was a good short story that was stretched out just enough to fit the full length feature since it is 77 minutes. I think there could've been more to explore had they felt the need to make a feature or just trimmed out some of the cringy scenes that just weren't needed and been a short film. They obviously didn't do either of those and we are presented with a quick trip into a relationship that was doomed from the start but not in the way their mismatched personalities had seen coming.
Only a few streamers with this one and it's a bit expensive as well.
