I watch a lot of low-budget films and there’s something supremely satisfying about discovering an off-the-beaten-path indie picture that does a lot with a little. I just finished Feras Alfuqaha’s Lifeline and I’m taken by how effective the flick is despite shooting on what I suspect was a fairly tight budget. Lifeline doesn’t reinvent the wheel. However, the film is an effectively executed horror thriller with a twisty narrative that kept me guessing until the end. That combination really hit the spot for me.
The setup for Lifeline is this:
This is a film that is best experienced as cold as possible. Accordingly, I will be deliberately vague and fairly brief with this synopsis. The picture follows Steven (Josh Stewart of The Collector series), a psychologist volunteering at a mental health crisis center on New Year’s Eve. When he gets a phone call from a young man in serious distress (Judah Lewis), Steven begins to notice a number of striking similarities between the caller’s struggles and his own.
Feras Alfuqaha brings Brady Morell and Brian Price’s script to life without the benefit of flashy visuals or expensive set pieces. However, a relatable protagonist with an interesting backstory kept me engaged. Josh Stewart’s Steven is a grounded lead who immediately endears himself as a mental health professional who gives his time selflessly. We spend most of the first act alone with him as he mans the crisis line.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the central quagmire doesn’t present itself until well into the first act. It’s nice to get to know Steven a little. He’s a dynamic and relatable character with whom I didn’t mind spending some time. Moreover, the calm before the storm gives the viewer time to speculate what’s coming, rather than making everything abundantly obvious from the get-go.
The twist is well-executed and surprising.
Speaking of what’s coming, the way things wrap up caught me by surprise, in a positive way. In retrospect, the film reminds me of an episode of The Twilight Zone. The unexpected final sequence and the ultra-brief runtime (roughly 75 minutes) make Lifeline feel like it could almost exist in the same universe as that beloved series.
Although there is a twist ending, I didn’t come away feeling cheated. In fact, the big reveal is well-justified by the narrative, despite seemingly coming out of left field. There’s enough pertinent information offered early on for the viewer to put the pieces together. However, there’s a recurring theme at play that suggests the cause of the inexplicable events that unfold may be something else entirely.
Lifeline features strong performances from both Josh Stewart and Judah Lewis.
Aside from a strong screenplay that effectively subverts expectations, the film also delivers solid performances from its small cast. Josh Stewart makes Steven relatable. And Judah Lewis brings ample depth to the distraught caller on the other end of the line.
The film deals with a lot of heavy subject matter. Child abuse and suicide, to name a couple. Those are tricky themes. However, the picture handles them respectfully and never demonizes mental health or resorts to cliché.
All things considered, I recommend seeking Lifeline out when it bows in select theaters and on VOD on February 21 from Dark Sky. It’s a twist-filled tale with two capable leads who will surely be familiar to horror fans. Not to mention, the flick runs under 90 minutes in total, so the time investment is minimal.
Summary
‘Lifeline’ succeeds thanks to a strong script and a capable cast.
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