Bloat is a creature feature that tries too much but ends up accomplishing nothing. A family decides to go to Japan for a refreshing vacation. An international incident prevents Jack (Benjamin McKenzie, Batman Year One) from going with wife and sons. When his youngest son almost drowns in a lake, the child returns possessed by a demon.
It is telling that the film’s synopsis does not mention anything about the family, including their names or jobs. There is also nothing indicating where the film is set or even that they are separated by an ocean. (The first paragraph of this review provides more information.) Most shockingly, the logline completely leaves out what type of movie Bloat is.
As it turns out, this is a screenlife movie told entirely through video calls and chat screens. That will make a big difference for some audiences as the sub genre is relatively new and, aside from a few outliers, has not proven itself to be particularly popular. Ultimately, the decision to tell the story in this style is more of a hindrance.
The opening moments of Bloat indicate that family trauma will be a major part of the story. Not only does it not matter, the actual incident is only mentioned once in a throwaway line. This happens repeatedly as there is no attempt at any sort of character development. Aside from the fact that Jack works for the military and his youngest son has developed a taste for cucumbers, there really is not much. This is most obvious in Hannah (Bojana Novakovic, I, Tonya), the wife and mother. Anytime she seems to be on the verge of a breakdown, it is quickly walked back – until the final moments when it is necessary for the plot.
Add in an underwhelming monster and an incredibly confusing ending and it all becomes a frustrating watch. A straightforward telling would have provided more tension while an increased focus on characters would have given audiences something to care about. By the time the final credits have rolled, Bloat has failed to leave any sort of impression.
Bloat will be in Theaters, On Demand and On Digital March 7, 2025.
