Something in the Dirt – Review
116 Minutes, Rated R
Written and Directed by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson
Synopsis:
Levi has snagged a no-lease apartment sight unseen in the Hollywood Hills to crash at while he ties up loose ends for his exodus from Los Angeles. He quickly strikes up a rapport with his new neighbor John, swapping stories like old friends under the glowing, smoke-filled skies of the city. Soon after meeting, Levi and John witness something impossible in one of their apartments. Terrified at first, they soon realize this could change their lives and give them a purpose. With dollar signs in their eyes, these two eccentric strangers will attempt to prove the supernatural.
After having seen and enjoyed Synchronic, I was interested to see what kind of project these guys could come up with during COVID.
**Side note: I’m glad this isn’t a “Covid” movie, lol. So very tired of those.**
I had wanted to catch this one at Sundance this year, but unfortunately, I was stiffed on that plan.
Damn it.
Something in the Dirt (SitD) isn’t for everyone. Written, acted, shot and edited by these two yahoos all by themselves (stupid Covid), SitD plays like one part sci-fi documentary, one part found footage, and one part 48 Hours expose.
And for the first 110 minutes, I was all in. This is the kind of wacky, straight out of a night of heavy drinking concept and execution that I love. At times sincere, insane, hostile, new-age, and conservative, SitD makes all the right moves as Levi and John try desperately to figure out what, exactly is going on.
And while the finale and/or denouement didn’t exactly ruin the rest of the experience for me, I have to say that I’m not entirely satisfied by it, though I can’t put my finger on why that is.
Perhaps that’s the point. Perhaps, like Levi and John, I’m not supposed to be able to pinpoint it. Maybe, like the veracity of the film within the film itself, this is a conundrum not to be resolved.
Or, maybe, they simply got to a point and decided they needed to end it, and they did, and I’m just going to have to live with that.
I can tell you that Ryan liked all of it, so perhaps my reaction to the ending isn’t typical.
Regardless, the film is definitely a recommend, especially if you’re a fan of Moorhead and Benson’s work.
It’s inventive and intriguing and authentically wacky at times, but definitely a “recommend.”
Something in the Dirt hits theaters today (November 4) and stars Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson.
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