Director/writer Jon Keeyes (working from a story by co-producer, and indie Scream Queen, Debbie Rochon) delivers on the promise shown in his debut feature 2000's American Nightmare with this above average horror flick that's basically an engrossing two person character study as Trent Haaga and Brandy Little play a married couple who are falling apart at the seams.

Things are even worse than normal couples as they both just happen to be serial killers and their arguments and bickerings not only involve doing such nutty things as stabbing each other (something shown to amusing effect when the police visit their house) but fighting about the way they've killed their victims.

This certainly lives up to its (quite appropriate) title and Keeyes keeps the tension ramped-up but also remembers to throw in lots of smart dialogue and black humour. In fact this is one of the more original indie flicks I've seen in a while and it proves that you really don't need a huge budget to make an effective, intelligent and highly watchable film.

Plus it also helps that Haaga (who's becoming a favourite of mine) and Brandy Little are perfect in the leads and the entire production feels realistic enough to be mildly disturbing even if a few plot points aren't explored enough (like the girl they keep prisoner in the basement).

Recommended viewing and a contender to be on my "Best of 2004" list.

Visit Shock-O-Rama for more information and to order. (Chris Hartley, 6/28/04)

Directed By: Jon Keeyes.
Written By: Jon Keeyes.

Starring: Brandy Little, Trent Haaga, Hayden Tweedie, Kimberly Grant.

Picture Ratio: Full Frame.

Picture Quality: EI brings this to us with a solid transfer that shows no problems.

Extras: They've come up with a decent batch of extras here with a trailer (and a trailer gallery for other Shock-O-Rama titles), a music video by Eden Automatic, 3 short horror films (an idea EI seems to be toying with for their horror DVD releases and one I'm all for), five featurettes covering various parts of the movie (victims effects, production design, characters, on set footage and the "torture room" scene) and a commentary with director Keeyes and editor Robert McCollum which makes for a good listen.