We’re heading back to the days of VHS for today’s review of Rent-A-Pal from Lightbulb Film Distribution with this retro horror starring Wil Wheaton.
Following its launch at Grimmfest (where it won the “Best Screenplay” award) and Sitges last week, Rent-A-Pal arrives across all digital download platforms from November 16 and on DVD from January 11.
Rent-A-Pal certainly has that 90s vibe to it as lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) is looking for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his ageing mother (Kathleen Brady). His only escape is the chance to find a partner through a video dating service but he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-A-Pal.
Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton – Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory, Stand By Me), the tape offers him what he yearns for, some much-needed friendship. But finding a Pal comes at a cost.
You really feel for David as he goes through his life looking after his mother, as her dementia takes its toll on his life and his mental state, so he thinks that the videotape will help him find someone to talk to and help him escape from his life, but when his mother sets off the smoke alarm he comes back to find the TV he turned off is now back on with Andy staring at him!
It gets even more strange when David starts answering Andy and he replies to David, they seem that they are standard replies set up for the video but David starts to get pulled in by Andy’s replies, as we watch David and Andy talking to each other you get the feeling that something is just not right.
As David watches the video over and over again he starts to know it off by heart and get pulled in, this slowly plays more on him and his mind to the point hat he finally breaks.
With the introduction of Lisa (Amy Rutledge) into the story, it looks like David’s life is about to change for the best as they enjoy time together and he gets the chance to forget his worries of his mother, but all that changes as something happens to “Andy” and David finally snaps.
Rent-A-Pal has a fairly slow build-up as Andy and David talk to each other but the slow build-up works on this 90s style film, the cast brings the characters to life very well, Brian Landis Folkins puts on a great performance as David, Wil Wheaton comes across very well as the unnerving Andy, Amy Rutledge also brings the caring side of her character well to the story.
Director/Writer Jon Stevenson has certainly brought a film to life that is not only uneasy at times but also has some emotional content for those that may be in the situation of caring for someone that has Dementia, the change in David as his mental health starts to change is very well written and performed.
Rent-A-Pal Trailer
Rent-A-Pal will be released on Digital Download from November 16 Pre-order from iTunes.
He Listens to you...
Movie title: Rent-A-Pal
Movie description: A strange VHS tape allows a lonely bachelor named David to find companionship with Andy -- its charming and charismatic host. However, Andy's friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission.
Date published: November 16, 2020
Country: UK
Duration: 108min
Director(s): Jon Stevenson
Actor(s): Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins, Amy Rutledge
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
