‘You’ll Never Find Me’: A Stormy, Slow-Burn Thriller That Pays Off With Terror [Tribeca 2023 Review]
If you’re anything like me, then you love yourself a storm episode. You know, a standalone television entry that takes place turning a torrential downpour, usually bottled up in a single location. Paranoia rises, and an intimate setting becomes claustrophobic, all while the soundtrack of heavy rain rushing sheet metal is heard just outside. It’s an always welcome trope that You’ll Never Find Me, a pitch-black Australian thriller, utilizes with expert prowess.
During my recent conversation with first-time feature filmmakers Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell, they cite one of the greatest storm episodes in television history as a sort of vague inspiration for their moody and satisfying foray into full-length genre. And it’s easy to see the parallel. The “Two Storms” chapter from Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House is a slick example of contained horror during a downpour. While the budgetary powers of Netflix permit that entry to expand its world larger than the one in You’ll Never Find Me, there’s still an impressive shared nervous system between “Two Storms” and You’ll Never Find Me that’s worth noting.
Set entirely in a remote large RV at night, Bell and Allen’s debut concerns an older man who hears a knock at his door during a destructive rainstorm. Assuming it’s local children harassing him again, he finally caves and is surprised to see a lovely young woman seeking refuge from the elements. The two characters tango softly for the first two acts of the film, and it’s never obvious who is trustworthy or who is the audience conduit. Mysteries unfold like wilting rose petals until a terrifying core is finally revealed in the film’s final moments.
It’s important to warn up top that audiences will definitely require a good deal of patience to appreciate this dark and stormy four-course meal. There are only two characters and one setting, with the majority of the tension reliant on dialogue and performance. If you found yourself squirming during Skinamarink, then You’ll Never Find Me may not be the genre offering for you. However, if you’re willing to surrender to an intimate and deeply theatrical experience, there is a grisly pot of gold waiting for you on the other side. My advice, if you are unable to witness this film in a theater, is to turn off your phone and watch it in total blackness. It’s a challenging watch, but well worth the reward when push finally does come to shove.
Much of the success of this title relies on the shoulders of its two fantastic leads. Brendan Rock (The Stranger) carries the mystery of his character Patrick with a deeply engaging sense of tragedy that never becomes tiresome or stagnant. His eyes are glassy with regret, and his storytelling is endlessly mysterious from start to finish of this moody black-box experience. Then there’s Jordan Cowan (Wolf Creek 2), known only as The Visitor, who seems to float from scene to scene with a sadness that never wavers. She’s soaked through, both physically and emotionally, and it’s a wonder to witness.
The amount of effort required to stay engaged during this runtime will vary from person to person. Personally, I am always grateful for a satisfying storm story, especially when the payoff is as grim and disturbing as the one waiting for you here. You’ll Never Find Me is a stunning debut feature from a talented creative duo who has style and nuance to spare. However, the most engaging storytellers here may just be Rock and Cowan, who dance so closely and so intimately it almost makes you want to look away.
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You'll Never Find Me
Summary
‘You’ll Never Find Me,’ is a challenging, torrential, and claustrophobic thriller that will reward dedicated horror fans with a taste for intimate storytelling.
