A DESERT (2025)
Streaming on Shudder from Dark Sky Films!
Directed by Joshua Erkman.
Written by Bossi Baker, Joshua Erkman.
A DESERT (2025) Streaming on Shudder from Dark Sky Films!
A photographer named Alex (Kai Lennox) takes a trip to the desert in
order to recapture the inspiration he once had towards the medium. But
what he finds in the desert is dark and deadly.
A DESERT is a Neo-noir slash horror thriller that they just don’t make
too much anymore. Well, it’s making a comeback, as this one reminded
me of a more introspective STRANGE DARLING mixed with a heavy dose of
the Cohen Brothers’ BLOOD SIMPLE. The film shifts perspective, has
surprising turns, and keeps you on your toes. It’s an unpredictable
monster of a film that doesn’t specify what is going on and feels more
like a stream of consciousness film that meanders a bit at the
beginning, but once it starts getting good, it gets really, really
good.
A DESERT (2025) Streaming on Shudder from Dark Sky Films!
The film consists of a few really strong performances. Kai Lennox has
had roles here and there. You might remember him from a smaller role
in GREEN ROOM, but I remember him as the guy who gets his brains
bashed in by Roller Girl’s roller skates in BOOGIE NIGHTS. Either way,
he gives a strong and likable performance as a man who is trying to
recapture what drove him to photography in the first place by
revisiting these desolate places. Alex is a naïve character who puts
himself in danger for the thrill of it by going into these places but
is definitely not prepared for the horrors that he finds. He’s so busy
picking out the right angle and direction to shoot and not paying
attention to what might be lurking in the corner. The first act of A
DESERT is full of these moments where Alex is filled with inspiration
from these places but is oblivious to the darkness around him until
it’s too late.
A DESERT (2025) Streaming on Shudder from Dark Sky Films!
The other amazing performance is from Zachary Ray Sherman as Renny,
who is a dead ringer for a young Willem DaFoe. It’s pretty evident
from the get-go that Renny is bad news, but we don’t know how bad he
really is until he strikes. It’s an iconic villainous role that should
garner him bigger and better things. You really end up despising this
character by the end. Sarah Lind from A WOUNDED FAWN also gives an
exceptional performance as Alex’s wife. She is put through a lot in
this movie and is really one of the most sympathetic of the bunch
during the painful climax. I also really liked David Yow as a gruff
detective who shows both how formidable his intuition and inspection
skills really are as well as a bumbling goon side that provides some
much-needed humor during this dark movie. Ashley Smith has a smaller
role as Susie Q, a temptress who works with Renny. She has a distinct
look about her and adds some nice heft to the role with equal parts,
hardness from the street and softness of the soul.
I’m being vague about specific plot points. The darkness I refer to
over and again in this review is portrayed ambiguously in this film.
Is this a supernatural film? There are scenes that hint that it might
be. Then again, these horrible people Alex run into could just be
completely fucked up and that’s that. The decisive moments are
absolutely riveting and revolting, leaving the viewer in a desolate
and dire place. I felt run down and ruined like the subject matter
Alex takes photos of by the end of A DESERT. This is a film that needs
more eyes on it. It’s filled with neo-noir feels that were prevalent
in the nineties with a dark tone and some really nasty moments. Still,
it is snug in the horror genre as it gets pretty gross and deals with
some very dread-filled moments. Whether you label it neo-noir,
detective thriller or straight up horror, A DESERT is a wonderfully
effective little movie that’ll leave you hurting.
