Kidnap, torture, escape. The common concept to many a horror film post HOSTEL and one that plays effectively to the thrills of horror fans across the globe. Yet beyond this simple thread of plot, little has evolved and over time, while the blood and violence has escelated, the story has remained the same. Until now that is.

 

Jason Figgis has already made his name as an independant horror director with the brilliant THE ECSTASY OF ISABELLE MANN and CHILDREN OF A DARKER DAWN. Now he's back with a stab at the tortue genre but this time with a twist.

 

Documentary maker Tony (Matthew Tomon) is following local boys in a 'day in the life of' movie. As the day unfolds, Tony and his crew are invited to the den of the boys dodgy activity but things take a sinister turn when they are introduced to the intimidating gang leader, Daz (Darren Travers).

 

From the outset, DON'T YOU RECOGNISE ME? is a chilling and unnerving film that turns the tables on the film makers in a way like no other. The scene where Daz forcefully shows Tony his own documentary is especially tense and Daz' presence begins to escalate this tension until the films shocking reveal.

 

The emotional baggage the film leaves is one that leads the audience to a battle for which side of the fence is the real evil and unlike other revenge thrillers, it is the actions in the film that gut the hearttstrings as sympathy turns into anger but in a way that is relatable. With some great writing and physical performances, the film is only marginally let down by its violence that is marginally over the top for the effect that it has. How many hammer blows can one man take? Yet it doesn't take away from the root of the film which is a testament to the characters and story woven in here.

 

Uncomfortable, unsettling and unforgetable, Jason Figgis has injected life into a story that is both fresh and familiar. The performances feel real and the low budget documentary format works in the films favour. As with his previous films, Figgis has crafted something truly original and should be seen for even the most hardened fans of the genre.