The idea of “time loops” in film can be quite tricky to pull off. Recent films like Palm Springs and Looper have used this theme to great effect. Brightwood uses the time loop idea but relies more on atmosphere and repetition. It is well worth it, as the final product is as fascinating as it is uneasy.
The main two characters are Jen (Dana Berger) and Dan (Max Woertendyke). Jen goes for a jog on a forest trail near their home, and Dan follows. There’s a clear tension between the two, and you soon find out Dan is trying to make amends for his actions at a party thrown by Jen’s job. To make matters worse, as Jen takes her earbuds out, you hear snippets of a podcast. About divorce. Even before the science fiction elements appear, you realize these two are at odds with each other.
The two run in circles, until they realize the pathway to and from their forest trail disappears. They’re caught in a loop. When they try to walk off the path they wind up exactly where they started. They’re trapped, and they only have each other as they try to work together to figure out their situation.
The main thing holding this film back is Berger and Woertendyke aren’t given a lot to work with. Woertendyke is the more engaging character as the goofy idiot husband trying to win back his wife’s affection. He brings a sense of humor and vulnerability to the story, making the audience empathize with his struggles. However, Berger doesn’t evolve beyond the annoyed wife dealing with her husband’s shenanigans. Her character lacks evolution, which can be disappointing for viewers looking for more depth and complexity.
But the situation itself is compelling, and director Dane Elcar creates a genuine sense of dread. This atmosphere of suspense he creates gives the film a riveting tension and haunting ambiance that lingers in your mind. The film is a fascinating piece of supernatural horror that studies the intricacies of human relationships.