Plank Face - Plank Face (2016)

Scott Schirmer's Plank Face is an unapologetically brutal descent into the primal, a challenging piece of independent cinema that defies easy categorization and often comfort. Far from a conventional narrative, the film functions more as a visceral experience, pushing the very boundaries of the horror genre with its raw, almost documentary-style cinematography. Schirmer masterfully crafts an unsettling atmosphere, relying heavily on guttural environmental sounds and the stark, unflinching gaze of the camera rather than cheap jump scares. The thematic depth explores the thin veneer of civilization, the allure of savagery, and the unsettling dynamics of assimilation. Ellie Church delivers a truly transformative and deeply unsettling performance as the titular character; she embodies a feral innocence and chilling menace that anchors the film's disturbing exploration of Stockholm Syndrome. The minimalist dialogue further intensifies the psychological dread, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature. Plank Face isn't concerned with pleasing; it aims to provoke, leaving an indelible mark as a significant, albeit polarizing, entry in the modern exploitation horror subgenre, cementing its place alongside other transgressive works like Lucky McKee's The Woman.