Made in 2006 and now streaming on Netflix (and evidently a version of it aired on the Lifetime network???), “Alone with Her” is one of the most gripping suspense thrillers I’ve seen in recent memory. I’ve actually endured it THRICE now because I saw it once alone, and two more times on two other occasions with two separate friends (one male, one female). It’s THAT interesting. And nuanced. But I think I’ve seen it enough for now. It’s a rough ride. I mean, it’s essentially about the complete and total violation of an attractive, artistic, single woman named Amy (the delicious and talented Ana Claudia Talancón) by psychopathic, survelliance-equipment-savvy Doug (an unbelievably creepy, pre-“Dexter” Colin Hanks). I suppose you could consider this a “found footage” film… but I think it’s even more than that. I think it’s a pre-emptive strike on the terrible act of stalking.
I REALLY wanna make an independent film. Ideally, a scary one. And this one certainly proved that I could on a low budget. Director Eric Nicholas seriously knows how to dial up the dilemma-drenched dread.
The above-mentioned female friend I shared this film with lives on her own and I thought it imperative that she see this one. Much to my surprise, she was totally open to it, as she isn’t often easily lured to the cinematic dark side. My hope is the film inspired her to up the ante on her street smarts. I think so. I wimp-ly worry about ALL the women in my life, man. Especially here in Los Angeles.
WINE PAIRING: What helped a third viewing of “Alone with Her” go down easier was a most-refreshing French Rosé my friend generously picked up from Pace. I refused to polish the entire bottle but I most certainly could have. I was that unnerved again by the film.
