Generally, I loathe having to sit through films that are classified as “slow burn.” These days, it is hard enough for me to finish an ordinary 90 minute film without losing some sort of interest, but slow burns are even worse. There are, however, a select few that are actually worth the wait and end up being rather enjoyable. The newest film that I can add to that list is Honeymoon directed by Leigh Janiak.
Bea (Rose Leslie, Game of Thrones) and Paul (Harry Treadaway, Penny Dreadful) are newly married and are spending their honeymoon in Bea’s old family cabin, away from their busy lives in New York City. Everything starts off great, but after an apparent sleep-walking incident, Paul notices that Bea isn’t quite herself anymore…
Honeymoon is a very intimate film, telling the story of a young married couple who are very much in love and are now secluded in a heavily wooded area with no one else around. Both Rose Leslie and Harry Treadaway, who many will recognize from great shows like Game of Thrones and Penny Dreadful, respectively, handle this type of environment very well, allowing the audience to really feel the passion between them. When characters Bea and Paul are joyful and romantic, it is very believable, and when things start to go amiss, the audience can also sense it. Having a film with a small cast like this really allows for an audience to relate to the characters more personally, which worked really well here. I found myself rooting for Paul the entire time, trying to figure out what was going on with Bea just as he was.
It is hard to write much about this film without giving too much away. Honeymoon is a modern-day take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It is a romantic drama that shifts into being a thriller and finally ends up as a science fiction horror film. While the pace never really quickens at any point, the third act will most certainly grab your attention. There is one scene that literally made my jaw drop and had me making faces at my television screen. This alone makes Honeymoon worth your time.
If you are a sci-fi enthusiast and are looking for another great film to add to your collection, look no further than Honeymoon. You can pick up a copy on DVD and Blu-ray tomorrow, January 13 from Magnet Releasing.
I give this film 4 light beams out of 5.
