John and the Hole

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This edition of Sundance has already delivered a few ambiguous, atmospheric films (Human Factors, In The Earth), but none has surprised or impacted me in a positive way so far. John and the Hole comes close to get a good reaction from me, but it also holds another massive bunker filled with way too many open questions. Its always challenging to review a movie with an underlying, vague story that I dont fully understand. In all honesty, theres an entire storyline Im either just scratching the surface of something greater, or its indeed an underwhelming, insignificant part of the screenplay. Since I cant put my finger on what its truly about, ...

John and the Hole has a maddening ambiguity that seems a whole lot like lazy storytelling rather than a well thought out narrative. Director Pascual Sistos unsettling story of a 13-year-old who drugs his family and dumps them in an unfinished bunker in the woods is a nightmare tale of young teenage angst, and the films imperfections are partially what make it so interesting.

John (Charlie Shotwell, in a chilling performance) is a very strange kid. To the casual observer, it looks like the boy has a nice life. Loving parents (Jennifer Ehle, Michael C. Hall), a kindhearted older sister (Taissa Farmiga), and a beautiful home with everything he could possibly want or ever need. John looks and acts depressed, but his concerned family is alway...

I started watching this film ,I thought it was going to be good and interesting , but I had the keep fast forwarding it ,the end was a bit wierd they never asked him why he did it , overall was crap ! ! ,