"Subject"

 2022 * Not Rated * 1h 17m  This is proof positive that you can make an excellent movie on a severely limited budget. One of the best ways is to limit the locations, have a decent script, and hire some decent actors. This little creeper of a film hits home on all accounts. 

Willem (Stephen Phillips) is in his way to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. His van is intercepted and he’s given the option of participating in an experiment, which will lead to a reduced sentence. He jumps at the chance and is taken to an undisclosed location. It’s basically a solitary confinement cell, and there’s almost nothing to do for days on one. One day he notices a strange creature, which he can see behind a glass partition. The being looks like the “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” If you’ve seen that movie, you get a good idea what it looks like. In his sleep, the creature pays him visits. Or does it? You’re never quite sure, which makes it doubly creepy. 

Occasionally a researcher Dalesky (Tristan Barr) comes in to interview him. He’s asked seemingly random questions and if he doesn’t answer them immediately, he’s given an electric shock. And in his sleep, we witness a series of what could potentially be flashbacks of the events leading up to his arrest. 

The scary thing about this type of movie is that you never know what’s real and what’s the product of the prisoner’s imagination. If you’re in the mood for something on the creepy side of things, put this one in your queue. 

3.5 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla and Kanopy (with your library card), Tubi, and Vudu. Also on Prime Video and to rent on Apple TV and other services.