In search of a Chiller Thriller to bring in the New Year? If so, there is Laced; set in a remote chalet smack in the middle of a frigid blizzard and is the “just perfect’ brew for a gristly cup of murder mystery.
Slated for release in select theaters, and available for streaming through Dark Sky Films on January 12, 2024, Laced is very much heavily the work of the multi-talented Kyle Butenhoff (Dear White People series, Mayans M.C. series). In fact, not only does Butenhoff channel his inner darkness to portray an abusive husband, Charlie, he also wrote and directed Laced. His debut as a director, the theme makes you wonder – Revenge, it can be so sweet, but is it really?
Laced, a quest for revenge and ultimate freedom, is wholly a nail-biting from start to finish. Overall, the film reaches over and switches on a blinding light on a topic matter that lurks in the darkest of shadows. Not many want to acknowledge or discuss the domestic violence that goes on behind closed doors and leaves victims writhing like snakes in silent pain. Instead, it is like a bean bag toss from person to person into a massive skeleton closet. Here, Butenhoff opens the door and exposes it with mind-boggling finesse.
The story follows Molly, the abused wife (Dana Mackin: Girl in the Picture 2022). The opening scene requires little need for dialogue as we observe Molly in the kitchen preparing dinner. Her demeanor and body language speak volumes. Molly has dead eyes in deep thought and is sightlessly cutting up veggies. There is a certain unhappiness captured by the camera angle. Her plight is like so many women who deal with domestic violence. Darkness has settled itself on her shoulders and she is about to commit murder. It is calculated and methodical, all the pieces are in place, but execution is the goal. It is one thing to imagine committing murder and quite another to actually do it. Where exactly is that fine line between sanity and insanity? What drives a person to this extreme behavior? Will Molly actually do it?
What started off as a cookbook recipe for murder has now derailed and become a train wreck headed straight off a cliff. A string of unexpected events occur that make the goal of murder and not get caught fall short of the mark. So, now well laid plans must be improvised on the fly. That said, Charlie does not see this coming, but eventually suspects something is going on and he fights tooth and nail. He is no match for the diabolical psycho, Victoria (Hermione Lynch: Single Parents series, Succession series). Eventually, Charlie succumbs to the grim reaper, but a visitor drops by too. What happens next is an outcome that will leave you speechless.
Laced makes a powerful statement about the perpetuation of domestic violence and potential outcome. Everyone has a dark side and is capable of unspeakable crimes without remorse if the right
button is pushed. One’s choices of the moment have far-reaching impact than one realizes, and the glaring reality is contained in the images that parade onscreen. All Molly desires is her freedom to live her life. Does she get it though? There is a butterfly effect here if you altered just one of the countless decisions of a day the ultimate outcome may have been different. Has justice been served? This movie holds this issue with scrutiny of a magnifying glass. For every choice there is a consequence, and that is it said that revenge is a dish best served cold. A captivating film until the end when you breathe a sigh of relief, Cryptic Rock gives Laced 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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