Pins and Needles is a fast paced survival thriller. Max (Chelsea Clark, Ginny & Georgia) is a diabetic biology grad student returning to campus when she and her friends experience a blow out. They find a house in the wilderness and hope to ask the occupants for help. Instead, Max finds herself in a deadly race against time.
The focus is on Max’s medical condition. It is a common one seen in horror, but more often than not, it is just for one scene and not an entire movie. For example, Final Destination: Bloodlines had a character with an allergy that is brought up a few times. It is important to remember, but only crucial once. And when it is central to the plot like in 2016’s Hush, the characters and atmosphere become incredibly important.
Pins and Needles prioritizes pacing instead. The idea is to create a sense of urgency and tension. It works to an extent. The main problem is the movie constantly mentions Max’s condition. Instead of actually building suspense, the constant references tell you why you should be worried for the protagonist. Ironically, this takes away from the feeling.
It also makes it look like any writing efforts were put into reminding audiences that Max is diabetic. It is normal for people in horror to make boneheaded decisions. That is part of the genre’s charm. However, in Pins and Needles there are decisions that do not make logical sense. It goes beyond simply shaking your head to ruining the immersion. And it comes off as lazy writing.
Which is not to say there is not any fun to be had with Pins and Needles. There are some good gore scenes and the villains are kinda funny. Over the top moments bring a layer of camp that the film should have leaned more into. It may want to be more, but it ends up being entertaining fluff.
Pins and Needles is available on VOD now.
