Dreamcatcher is part of an ever increasing number of horror movies that take place in a short period of time. The story is about an underground music festival known as Cataclysm. Over the course of 48 hours, two estranged sisters and their friends are thrown into a world of violence and mayhem. The premise sounds like just another slasher, but the plot gives audiences much more.
Early on, one of the characters states, “Lots of big words” in response to their best friend’s statement about what people think about them. It is foreshadowing for what Dreamcatcher is going to offer its audience regularly. The film is filled with statements about shaming and “white girls”. These comments are shoehorned in almost every conversation and always come off as insincere.
While Dreamcatcher has the friends in danger premise, it does avoid the standard archetypes. It is a refreshing change to the dynamic, but there is still a lack of development. Attempts to build up any backstory are often contradictory. For example, one of the friends is made fun of for not being able to find a date for any high school dance. A few minutes later, he is mocked for the time he got a sexually transmitted infection after sleeping with another student. Not many movies are brave enough to include a sexually active lonely geek.
When the movie sticks to action, it fares much better. There are some gruesome kills and the setting is different. Dreamcatcher is much less of the slasher than it sounds like. It is a suspenseful movie that is filled with twists and betrayals. It is overly melodramatic at times, but it is different enough to keep audiences guessing what will happen next.
Dreamcatcher is more than the synopsis would lead one to believe. It sounds like it is going to be another slasher, this time with a rave backdrop. While the film has elements of horror, it is much more of a thriller. Things can get a little convoluted at times and the dialogue seems more suited for a tweener drama meaning it will appeal to a very specific audience.
Dreamcatcher will be available on digital and on demand March 5
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