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Samantha (Najarra Townsend) unaware of the dangers to follow. |
For a low budget affair this horror thriller (distributed by IFC Films) works well, with leading lady Townsend working hard to capture the essence of the character and disintegration of her world - 10/10 for the special effects makeup and visual decay. Director and writer Eric England gives an "experimental" feature whose script took about 2-3 months to write, with filming also short. There is no doubt that "Contracted" is slow, and takes some dedication to really stay with it, but it does become an intriguing study of both sex and the consequences that derive from such an act. And if you believe this is likely to be purely an Aids or HIV-related portrait, think again. There is nothing regular about what is contracted here...
The movie opens with a mysterious man, only referred to as "BJ", as he engages in necrophilia with a corpse in a morgue. Later he meets Samantha at a party and, while drunk, she is taken advantage of (we discover that he had used Flunitrazepam in her drink). Later, unbeknown to her, some terrible virus has infected the young woman. This is the part where her universe collapses, and we are given an insight into one of the most horrifying and sickening transformations in the history of cinema! I was not prepared for what was to follow...
If there is one criticism regarding "Contracted" then it is simply this: there are some who fail to respond to her predicament realistically. Personally, if I had a daughter or friend whose physical appearance altered so radically in such a short space of time, I would be in hospital with her, demanding she be seen and tests be taken. Surprisingly, with countries on alert for acts of terrorism, including biochemical, would a medical practitioner really just allow Samantha to go home after seeing the state of her health? "Do not come into contact with anyone until we can determine what it is we're dealing with." Perhaps this film would have been bigger for exploring such a possibility, but I can understand the limited finances.
Sammy lives with her mom (portrayed by Caroline Williams, who was cast in Tobe Hooper's 1986 horror "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2") in Los Angeles, after splitting up with girlfriend Nikki (Katie Stegeman); she works at a restaurant as a waitress; and one of her male friends, Riley (Matt Mercer), fancies her. A normal life, you would think, but one that changes following the rape. What starts with hearing issues leads very quickly to blood and stomach pains. At this stage there is plenty of realism, with sympathy aplenty for the character. I am sure we would all worry if suffering symptoms that are first shrugged off as a "head cold and a rash". One can only describe it as rotting from within, leading to external complications. I do like how it is believed Samantha's condition to be drug related, which she denies. By the time we reach "Day 3", her "illness" is heartbreaking, as the corrosion gathers pace.
The least sympathetic character in this feature is Nikki, for being the most obnoxious person I have ever spent 84 minutes with. Well, perhaps not "84 minutes" but it sure does feel like it! Stegeman plays her well, and you can only wonder how on earth she and Sammy got together in the first place - talk about chalk and cheese! "I'm not into you any more!" Even her final encounter with her ex-girlfriend does nothing to redeem. Just what does she think is happening to Samantha? Is her physical deterioration not obvious enough? In truth, Nikki does not care, and has obviously never cared about the young woman's feelings.
If you can survive the first half hour then it is best to stay with the movie - the climax is most definitely rewarding! All it needs now is a sequel ("Contracted:Phase II") and director England's vision can expand into other areas... "Contracted" is ultimately Townsend's song, with a powerful performance that not only requires respect but admiration for such a human story. With "The Toy Soldiers" (2014) raising her profile further, there is plenty of reason to watch out for this young lady...
Image courtesy of imdb.com (Matt Mercer © 2013).
Article © Alwyn Ash 2015.
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