Movie Review: Needlestick (2017)
Directed by Steven Karageanes, Needlestick really sets the bar as a great indie horror film with quite a lot to offer. The film takes place in South Union Cardiac Hospital where Dr. Everett Barnard (Michael Traynor) is trying to get his residency. He’s working under Dr. Alexander Crick (Lance Henrikson) who has recently found a breakthrough in medicine that may be the key to the fountain of youth. That secret comes with a lot of liability, though, and the formula at a high cost. There are a lot of other people who would want to take advantage of his success in their own interest, and Dr. Crick is not about to let that happen. He puts a plan in place that leads to a lot of chaos and tension to follow by locking down the hospital and shutting the power off. Once the power is off, Dr. Crick sends a subject of his to paralyze any potential subjects so that he can continue his experiments, and let’s just say that a lot of people are due for their shots. The terror begins as Dr. Crick’s monster roams the halls, and the hospital staff and patients have to figure out a way to survive the night locked in the hospital together.
The first thing you will notice is that the acting is great, as this film stars some notable names like Harry Lennix (Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman), Katie Savoy (Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda), Michael Traynor (The Walking Dead), and Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Terminator, Pumpkinhead). This is important because the difference between okay actors and good actors can really make or break a film, and this is even more prevalent in indie films. When you see some not only good, but great actors on board who are experienced and have been in some classic films, it not only improves the quality of the film, but it adds to the overall experience for the viewer. It seems obvious enough but is an integral part of what makes a lot of indie films watchable or not for most people.
The tension in Needlestick is something that is majorly emphasized by the score. The score was done by the legendary music composer Harry Manfredini, who has composed the music for all of the Friday the 13th films among so many others. You can’t ask for any better when it comes to horror, and it really compliments the cinematography to give each scene the right atmosphere. There are definitely a lot of scenes where the cinematography really shines in this film. Bryan Greenberg does an excellent job finding the right shot for each scene and is another reason that this film is such a great experience. There were a couple of scenes in particular that were really impressive, but overall just an outstanding job. The lighting also played a key role in these shots, and the lighting technicians really nailed the dim halls and rooms of the dark hospital. All of these things combined create an atmosphere for this film that is perfect.
Needlestick is a fantastic indie horror/thriller. Steven Karageanes and his team really did a great job all around. We would definitely recommend this to anyone who isn’t afraid of needles, and even more so to those who are. It released on 2/21/2017 and is available to rent or purchase on Amazon.com.
