This was released just a few days ago on Netflix and for the most part I think it is worth watching. I suppose I would categorize it as a supernatural-thriller, but it does have some inklings of being a crime drama.
As always I am going to do my best to be spoiler-free but if you like to go in blind, it is better that you skip this
Katrina Ridgeway is traveling from Arizona to Oklahoma via Texas to visit her mother (i think... it really isn't important.) She is accompanied by her young daughter Abbie when all of a sudden Mom decides to leave the main highway because GPS tells her that there is a 1-hour delay due to an accident.
source
apparently they thought it was necessary to bring everything they own with them as well. I don't have any kids, maybe this is how all parents with children travel
So since they left the main highway they find themselves kinda in the middle of nowhere when of course, they get a flat tire. Katrina is not one of those people that doesn't know how to change a tire (do you? you better!) so she sets about doing exactly that. It is at this point that her daughter gets bit by a rattlesnake while screwing around in the field instead of being in the car.
Now before anyone accuses me of spoiling I want you to understand that basically all of that is in both the Netflix description of the film and it is in the trailer - so get off my case. :P
Katrina ends up getting some help for her daughter who is becoming non-responsive from the bite by a local living in a shady-as-shit trailer. Of course there is no mobile service out in this part of the country (I honestly don't think this actually happens anywhere in America where there are paved roads anymore, but you never know.) However, this help, comes at a price that is not immediately explained but the cure her daughter has received is anything but natural because she is completely cured - there aren't even any snake bite marks on her.
Basically Katrina now has to "pay a debt" that she is completely unprepared to pay (i'll give a hint, it isn't money) and if she doesn't the situation with her daughter will revert at sundown. She is faced with a situation that made me think about my own life... if i was faced with this sort of situation where I had to do something terrible in order to save someone I love, would I be able to do it?
This is part of the reason why the film is good: It makes you ask questions of yourself when watching it and at least for me, this is always a good thing. The actions taken are easy to relate to, because I think most people are decent, like Katrina.
From the official Netflix channel
There is a pretty fantastic musical score and also some great visuals in the way of hallucinations that are just the right level of creepy also. I wouldn't watch this with the kids if you have any - it could end up resulting in questions you don't want to have to answer or maybe even provide you with some unwanted nightmares.
The downsides of this movie is that it is relatively predictable and honestly, despite the time frame, this story has been done many times before in both film and TV. However, i think almost everything that can be done has already been done... and probably by Stephen King.
Overall, this movie doesn't waste much time and it keeps moving to keep the tension on for the around 90 minutes run-time. I don't regret watching it but i wouldn't recommend anyone go too far out of their way to see it. It isn't epic or anything... it's just ok.
I think this film would be an absolutely perfect thing to have on in the background when you are doing laundry or cleaning the living room because it is pretty low-commitment as far as understanding the storyline is concerned. This way, if you don't like it, at least you've accomplished something in your life.
My overall rating on a scale of Urgh! to Wowsers!
