Downhill review: The latest from Patricio Vallardes, ‘one-man Chilean production line…’
Downhill review, Luke Ryan Baldock, Frightfest 2016.
Downhill review
BMXing is a dangerous sport, even more so if you’re also unfortunate enough to be in a horror film. Such fears are explored in Downhill, the latest from Patricio Vallardes, who has gained some mentions of late for his work ethic which sees him releasing around 4 films over the next year. This is a one-man Chilean production line.
Downhill starts with a series of quick flashes that spoil what’s to come later. I assume this was done to assure audiences that horror is on the way, as it certainly takes a while to build up. Such flashes just suggest a lack of confidence in the film to unravel at its own pace. We then get shoved into a GoPro view of some BMX-ers, but it soon becomes clear that this is not to be found-footage as we cut between the characters’ footage and traditionally shot narrative. One of the bikers dies in an accident, leaving Stephanie (Natalie Burn) and Joe (Bryce Draper), to mourn his death. Some time passes, and Joe is finally convinced to attend a race event by his Chilean friend Pablo (Ariel Levy). Once out in Chile, Joe and Stephanie soon find themselves hunted by leather clad trouble makers, who seem to be after a dying sick man who Stephanie and Joe have tried to help.
Downhill review
The opening scene seems to try and set the tone for a jovial horror, utilising aspects of found-footage, while including BMXing. Strange then that Downhill’s biggest descent comes from seemingly ignoring this. The whole BMXing angle is dropped very quickly. They’re never used in exciting set pieces, or utilised to add some variety to wood bound chases, other than the first scene.
Mixing body-horror, survivalist, and stalk and slash genres is a nice way of keeping momentum throughout the film, but none of these are honed. The make-up ranges from good to obvious, the tension simmers rather than boils before just being taken off the heat, and although character switches are nice, they happen far too instantly to develop any connection. Although good to see the man as the whiny scared member of the couple and the woman as the rational strong type, they switch roles the scene after without any development. Perhaps the man just needed a few moments to compose himself.
Downhill review
For the majority of the runtime this feels competently put together, but then Vallardes betrays himself with an amateur technique, such as quickly jolting the camera whenever a bullet is fired. Performances range from fine to passable, cinematography sometimes looks professional and then the next shot looks unfinished, with music being generic but an excellent end credits song by Harleen Q called Shades is just too good for the rest of the film. Very mixed, and perhaps shows the dangers of shooting 4 films in a year.
Downhill forms part of this year’s Frightfest programme.
