Cast
View AllMorgan McLeod
as Dan Taylor
Brian Ashton Smith
as Chris
Malcolm Mills
as Ethan
Christopher Trindade
as Michael
Maximilian Koger
as Danny
Marissa Gatsios
as Amy Taylor
Jennifer Trudrung
as Michelle
Greg Harpold
as Bill
Emi Curia
as Mary
Nick Karner
as Joe
Jay T. Becker
as The Stranger
Keegan Badillo
as Josh Taylor
Sable Griedel
as Female Tourist
Kelley Wilson Robinson
as Lois
Crew
Director
- John Hale III
- Christopher G. Moore
- Jeremy Herbert
Writer
- Jeremy Herbert
- Wolf Stahl
- Amanda Stone
- John Hale III
- Christopher G. Moore
Producer
- Samantha Kolesnik
- Nathan Ludwig
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Worst Laid Plans presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director John Hale III brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2022, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Worst Laid Plans took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $0.1 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 77 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 97 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 63 unique compositions.
- The costume department created over 191 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2022, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Worst Laid Plans shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike War of the Worlds, which focuses more on action than character development, Worst Laid Plans subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Blade Runner and Dracula explore similar territory, Worst Laid Plans stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 3, 2022
- Runtime: 1h 17m
- Budget: $50,000