Sick is a 2022 American slasher film directed by John Hyams and written by Kevin Williamson and Katelyn Crabb. The film stars Gideon Adlon and Bethlehem Million. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2022 and was released on January 13, 2023 by Peacock. (Wikipedia)
Sick is probably the first horror movie with COVID-19 central to its premise. The story basis seems logical for the circumstances the world found itself in 2020. Parker (Adlon) isolates herself at her family lake house and brings along best pal Miri (Million) for company. Of course, being alone in a big empty house is a slasher trope, and naturally, the girls are definitely not alone.
For two-thirds of Sick, we are treated to the usual cliches, the masked stalker with a huge knife terrorising college girls as they struggle to survive his incessant attacks. Typically as well, there is much violence ensuing but somehow all concerned still seem to be able to continue the physical abuse – on either side – despite the bodily harm seemingly inflicted.
And there are the twists along the way – several in fact. None of which are too shocking or surprising though they will definitely stretch the suspension of disbelief to breaking point on many occasions. Hyam’s direction of the scares and action sequences are commendable and keep the film watchable. Whether any part of Sick is too logical really depends on how much slack a viewer might grant the far-fetched plot.
Then there’s the third act, which brings home the COVID-19 relevance! Quite laughable and ridiculous in the end, imagining ordinary folk being motivated to stalk and murder others for the reasons set out here in this film. But it’s a slasher movie, and the motivation can be tenous enough if it carries the horror along. Co-writer Williamson is best known for his genre-bending Scream but this one is very much by-the-numbers. Might be wise to keep your distance from Sick!
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