Written & Directed By: Israel Pakzad
Cinematography: Tim Curtin
Editor: Maxine Pozzi-Garcia
Cast: Helena Howard, Zion Moreno, Bella Throne, Sophia Ali, Chloe Cherry, Chris Bauer, Jake Manley, Israel Broussard, Blaine Kern III
Amber and her friends visit Joshua Tree for a fun girls’ trip but face hostility from locals. As tensions escalate and Amber’s dark past surfaces, their rebellion ignites – turning their desert getaway into a jaw-dropping game of revenge.
I will admit the only reason I watch this film was for the female cast many of whom I remember from seeing other movies or TV shows and remember them being quite striking.
The first 20 minutes of this film seems to be girls being as sloppy and reprehensible as frat brother movies with dialogue that seems like it was for GIRLS TRIP or EUPHORIA.
This being a young female version, only then the film turns slightly to a sexual assault and trauma afterwards kind of drama. after seeming to Wade into the uncertainty of a music video-level boat party.
And just from the beginning alone, it seems to run a record for numbers of uses before the F word.
The film does offer plenty of eye candy and titillation that is not to be approved, but it seems at first no one has a non-revealing outfit. Then the film seeming to settle into the message that all men are evil.
One understands the message the film is trying to convey and what it’s trying to say, but it still leads to a film that feels very uncomfortable and after a while, get tired of what it is saying on it soap box as it gets to be the overwriting message that feels a bit much after a while, not unwelcome, not trying to discredit it, but maybe should’ve been a little more subtle.
Throughout the film, there is loads of exposition once they reach their destination. As then, that seems to be the only time they have any other opportunity to do it as the film tries to let the audience get to know the characters, even though essentially we only really get to know the lead.
It seems aimless than towards the third act. It finally seems to be trying to make a point of its own, even though it seems vague to match the mindset and mood confusing at first, as we aren’t sure if this is just all paranoia and all in the main characters head.
Lunar turned into a female, friendly revenge tale that while little obvious and over the top as well as extreme makes sense, even as the film leaves many loose ends
No one can see why it has an female audience thoughseeks to want to attract more of a male audience by Trojan horse, with skin in display and more a party hearty attitude,leaving you to think one waiting reveals what it believes and not to subtle away
Grade: C-
