LAURA LAVERA BRANCHES OUT OF THE TERRIFIER FRANCHISE
I want to go ahead and put it out there I think Laura LaVera from her look and acting skills can be extremely versatile in the world of film, and wildly successful. She cares about the projects she is a lead on, and THE WELL is one of her babies. She plays a painting restorer (working for her dad) taking on a difficult time sensitive project out of the country. Little does she know this is going to be one weird ass lady she is doing the commission for and the painting will unfold dark events and secrets. She does a great job becoming the character that is slowly unfolding what the painting is about and what is happening before her. She is also a very different role than she is in Terrifier and I loved seeing that.
A PREMISE YOU’LL ENJOY MOST BY GOING IN BLIND
This one keeps you guessing and trying to figure out what’s going on throughout, and it isn’t until later in the film that you fully realize what is going on with it all. You know Lisa (Lauren LaVara) is helping with this painting, but it gets confusing on what’s going on when the other three people you are introduced to are taken and put in cells to see periodically that they are being taking by this big dumb man and forced down a well to be fed to some creature down in the well. The brutality from these kills is worth mentioning, the hook kill specifically is wildly brutal and was the highlight of the film for me. It’s so damn creative and the dragging of that book makes me squirm in my seat. We find out the creature in the well is part of the entire supernatural story.
The creature in the well in exchange for being fed, gives them its blood, which when drank, leads to immortality. I think it’s clever, it’s really unique and just did not expect that to be the premise so I really like that it is as elaborate as that. And the painting that is being restored has to be restored on the full moon night for their immortality to be extended for 500 more years. Lisa figures out the dangers of this and is conflicted on finishing the job or doing something about it. Also the design of the creature is awesome. Love the creepy gross lanky look of a creature that dwells in a well.
THE FINAL ACT BRINGS THE BAT SHIT CRAZY WE WANTED
We finally figure out the full extent of the story and that Emma wanted that evil painting restored for the immortality. I did not expect Marcus to be involved. He seemed like a nice dude that may help later but I have no idea how I didn’t see that coming looking back. When the ritual is getting close and the film goes full gothic with the creature having been let loose from the well, it picks up an energy that is so different from the beginning of the film that it works for me. If you’re going to reveal everything and bring it full circle, dive in head first. The help of the daughter to stop her mother and finally be able to rest was a nice touch as well after being surprised and looked down upon the entire film. Lisa finally puts a stop to this and damages the painting to the point they all age quickly and die because it isn’t restored.
I love that we relax like it’s over, then Guron appears and is ready to fuck some more shit up post well. Lisa realized a script in the painting and somehow knew that it would help capture Giron. Which fits for me that there is ritualistic words that were once used to capture him before, and can be used again from the painting, making it the key item of the film. The last bit lost me though. It was interesting but I didn’t feel like it was needed to have Lisa basically facilitating a business that sells the immortality blood to important people to live forever. Just didn’t fit in my opinion.
This film was a pleasant surprise because I love Lauren LaVera, and I liked the style and brutality of it. As well as the sprinkle of ritualistic cult feel that I always fuck with. This was a good film for Lauren to lead post Terrifier 2, I hope she continues to excel and be seen like this in good roles!
The Cinema Speakeasy Theatre Room 
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