Restless is a psychological horror movie that will catch audiences off-guard. Overworked and dealing with the recent loss of her father, Nicky (Lyndsey Marshal) lives a quiet and peaceful life. This all changes when a new neighbor moves in. He is obnoxious, intimidating, and throws a loud party every night. Unable to sleep, Nicky’s grasp on sanity becomes increasingly tenuous. The confrontations between her and Deano (Aston McAuley) become more violent and it becomes clear that a diplomatic resolution is highly unlikely.
The British thriller deals with a topic that anyone from any part of the world will be able to relate to; obnoxious neighbors that have no regard for anyone else. This makes it easy for those watching to be drawn into Nicky’s plight. It is even possible to look at Restless from multiple angles since some of us have been those annoying neighbors.
There are moments of dark comedy sprinkled throughout. This is most evident in the climax which is a great moment that sees the war between the two come to an end. Between the humor is a very tense horror movie that will surprise many. Restless is more than just a disagreement between a party animal and his private neighbor. It is a descent into madness of Lovecraftian proportions.
Director Jed Hart makes excellent use of sound. Whether it is hard hitting dance or classical tunes, the music is consistently loud. The music at the gatherings is used during the moments when Nicky is losing her cool while the older songs are heard during the moments when she has given up. This paired with some great camerawork lets audiences see and hear the protagonist pushed further to the brink.
The ending is a darkly funny moment that slides in perfectly. After everything that has happened between the two, it was clear the current living arrangement was not going to last. The last few moments of Restless will surprise audiences in the best way. It has an ugly side that is consistent with the tone while also bringing closure.
Restless will be available digitally May 23.
