I first heard about this what feels like a year ago (and it could well be!). I’m loath to use the word gimmick, but It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This has an angle – the movie will only ever screen theatrically. In theory, it’s a great concept – it makes every screening special as it’s likely to be the only opportunity you’ll have to see it, especially for us in the U.K. where I’m doubtful it’ll travel to the same degree it appears to be in the US. I say in theory, however because there’s a massive potential downside here. If the film is decent, repeat viewings are going to be difficult! Consequently, when I was watching this, I was secretly hoping it would be no good and the hook of theatrical-only was the filmmakers’ way of squeezing mileage out of something that would just get lost in the vast ocean of streaming movies. Unfortunately for me, it turned out to be damn good. One I would have instantly bought and endlessly recommended. Despite that, I still support the release plan. Maybe there’s a power in watching something that you know is ephemeral, like you’re consuming that you shouldn’t be. Days later, this one is still in my head.
What’s it about? An indie filmmaker couple has been making a bunch of short films starring themselves and a friend, and they’ve stepped things up with a feature film. Discovering a house nearby that works out to be cheaper to buy than it would be to rent somewhere, they purchase said residence as a set to shoot their film. The cost is further justified because this could be the base for many more movies down the line. There are a few problems, though; it is in an absolute state of disrepair, being used as a squat replete with used needles and missing windows. But they get to work tidying it up, soon discovering a strange altar in the attic. And random people are standing in front of the place, day and night, in a catatonic state.
So far, so standard found footage sounding right? And yes, it is. But for someone who’s watched billions of these kinds of films, I found it expertly done. I don’t want to get too into it, but the journey these characters take becomes captivating – as the movie goes on, you’ll experience every emotion that exists. Being filmmakers and horror fans, they know exactly what they’re doing, and yes; they do stupid things as characters in these films occasionally do. The difference here is that they know that what they’re doing is stupid. Yet they still go ahead as the footage and film are the most important things.
The whole of the third act is pure chaos, a perfect payoff to the build-up of the first two acts, but there were two scenes that will stick with me. One involving a séance and a painting I found incredibly effective and extremely unsettling, and I seldom feel that way watching a movie! There was just something raw and realistic about it… And then there was another scene involving stalking that I’ll say no more of. Both scenes shared something in common too; they went on for an uncomfortable amount of time. And dwelling on it now, that was a key element – the lack of cuts meant you were living in these scenes alongside the characters rather than atmosphere-killing choice moments being plucked out, ready-made.
So, yeah, I loved this one. It feels like the filmmakers really thought about what they wanted to achieve here rather than bombarding the audience with jump scares, and the result is one of the most unnerving films I’ve seen. If this pops up anywhere near you, run, don’t walk.
Leave a comment