In the wild ride that is The Disinvited, a man grapples with the emotional turmoil triggered by rejection. It is the beginning of Carl’s descent into something dark, unpredictable, and ultimately, tragic. While there are early signs of his possible disconnection with reality, the film never fully exploits this idea until the very ending. Whether this works or not, depends in part on the viewer, as The Disinvited is a sneaky little thriller that tells a story that always feels off. If you decide to come along for the ride, then welcome. Just know that in this deserted setting, nothing is what it seems.
Devin Lawrence directs and writes alongside Matthew Mourgides in a strange character-driven thriller that attempts to tell Carl’s convoluted story after a breakup. He sees himself still attending a social event he was excluded from, and will do anything to get to it. It will represent an opportunity to speak his mind and deliver a cringey speech. All that happens, as Carl faces rejection again. The entire second act consists of signs that life itself throws at him. He should not go. And then, the real reason why he shouldn’t shows its face.
I won’t spoil the film, as it does deliver in the end. The final act is a masterful exercise in horror that does answer a lot of questions while staying true to the film’s true identity. The Disinvited feels like a horror movie, regardless of how much it plays with tropes from other genres. Horror fans will be satisfied in the end. Needless to say, the makeup effects and sound design are quite good.
Sam Daly as Carl owns the movie. The actor hasn’t done much outside the indie movie circle, and his TV appearances are scarce. His role in The Office may be his most famous to date, but what he does in the gritty thriller is completely different. His performance is strong and compelling, but he does leave room for a little mystery. It’s that mystery which plays well in the end, when the truth about Carl rises to the surface.
The Disinvited is far from perfect, and does get a bit predictable. But it’s a good enough exercise in gritty comedy/horror. It’s beautifully shot, and the performances are good. Lawrence has shown his chops in the thriller genre, and with The Disinvited, he has proven he does have storytelling skills while creating truly unsettling experiences. And Daly? He does have the presence of a lead. The underappreciated actor should be getting more roles outside the independent film realm.
Directed by: Devin Lawrence
Written by: Devin Lawrence, Matthew Mourgides
Produced by: Matthew Mourgides
Cast: Sam Daly, Dani Reynolds, Ryan Vincent, Alana Johnston, D.K. Uzoukwu, Samantha Jean Kwok, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Mia Challis, Patrick Gallo.
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
