New Movies: Kryptic (2024) by Kourtney Roy
- dailyentertainment95
- May 9
- 9 min read
Kryptic (2024) by Kourtney Roy: A Goopy, Surreal Descent into Identity and the Monstrous
Kourtney Roy, a renowned art photographer, makes her feature film directorial debut with Kryptic, a Canadian horror thriller that defies easy categorization. Co-written by Roy and Paul Bromley, the film is an enigmatic and visually striking journey into the depths of memory loss, self-discovery, and the unsettling presence of the unknown, blurring the lines between creature feature and psychological body horror.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22697898/
About movie: https://wellgousa.com/films/kryptic
Link to watch: https://wellgousa.com/films/kryptic (US)
Detailed Summary
Kryptic centers on Kay (Chloe Pirrie), a woman who, after a bizarre and traumatic encounter in the woods on Krypto Peak, finds herself with no memory of her past. All she knows is an unsettling certainty: she bears an uncanny resemblance to a missing cryptozoologist and cryptid hunter named Barb Valentine. This striking similarity propels Kay on a quest to find the real Barb, hoping that uncovering her doppelganger's disappearance will somehow unlock her own lost memories and identity.
As Kay follows cryptic clues and encounters a series of unsettling, often sinister characters in trailer parks and suburban settings, her search for Barb leads her closer to the very creature Barb was hunting – the "Sooka," a mysterious forest cryptid. The film largely unfolds from Kay's disoriented perspective, immersing the audience in her confusion, paranoia, and the surreal, dreamlike quality of her journey.
More than just a straightforward creature feature, Kryptic transforms into a road movie fairy tale about a woman searching for truth, even if she doesn't quite know what that truth is. It's a visceral experience, filled with "goopy, gorgeous visuals," practical effects involving white goo and slick flesh, and unsettling hallucinations. The film explores themes of autonomy, sexual assault, the female body, and the monstrous power of the patriarchy, often using the elusive Sooka as a metaphor for deeper psychological and societal anxieties. As Kay delves deeper, she realizes she is inextricably linked to the creature and the missing Barb, forcing her to confront a startling and often grotesque truth about her own identity.
Plot Summary
Kay, an amnesiac woman, discovers she is the exact double of a missing cryptid hunter, Barb Valentine. Driven by a need to understand her past, Kay embarks on a quest to find Barb, which leads her into the wilderness and unsettling encounters with a mysterious forest creature known as the "Sooka." As she delves deeper, Kay's journey becomes a surreal exploration of identity, memory, and the unsettling connection between herself, the cryptid, and the missing woman.
Director's Vision
Kourtney Roy, making her feature directorial debut, brought her distinct eye as an art photographer to Kryptic. Her vision was to create a "psycho-thriller" that is "enigmatic, surrealist" and often defies conventional storytelling, focusing more on "themes and vibes" than straightforward lore or plot. She aimed to immerse the audience in Kay's disoriented state, using a "vibrant palette, dizzying flashbacks, and unsettling interchanges" to convey the protagonist's volatile mental state. Roy consciously chose to make the creature itself elusive, emphasizing how it "permanently altered Kay, inside and out," rather than focusing on traditional creature horror. Influenced by a nostalgic, temporal feel often found in her photography, she wanted Kryptic to evoke a sense of the '70s or '80s. Roy has also mentioned a willingness to embrace the "weird" and "awkward," with the film featuring "mucus and awkward sex scenes," contributing to its unique and often visceral atmosphere. The film, co-written with Paul Bromley, is an unconventional "monster metaphor" for themes of sexual assault, PTSD, and the broader "monstrous power of the patriarchy," offering a "fascinating but frequently unwieldy watch" that challenges its audience.
Themes
Identity and Self-Discovery: Kay's journey of amnesia and her search for Barb Valentine become a profound exploration of who she is and what it means to reclaim one's self.
Memory and Trauma: The film delves into the fragmented nature of memory, particularly in the wake of traumatic events, and how the past can haunt and shape the present.
Body Horror and the Feminine Body: Kryptic uses grotesque practical effects and unsettling imagery to explore themes related to the female body, sexual violence, and violation, often in metaphorical ways.
Manipulation and Control: Kay encounters various characters who attempt to exert control over her or define her identity, reflecting broader societal power dynamics.
The Unknown and the Monstrous: The elusive Sooka serves as a metaphorical representation of the unknown, both within nature and within the human psyche, hinting at the monstrous elements that can reside within and around us.
Key Success Factors
Chloe Pirrie's Central Performance: Pirrie's "superb" and "nuanced" portrayal of Kay/Barb is widely praised for anchoring the film's confusing and surreal narrative, conveying a wide range of emotions through subtle expressions and physicality.
Visually Distinctive Aesthetic: Kourtney Roy's background in art photography shines through in the film's striking cinematography, utilizing "green hues and empty space," "dreamy cinematography," and effective practical effects ("goopy" substances) to create a unique and unsettling atmosphere.
Ambitious and Bold Vision: For a directorial debut, Kryptic is commendably ambitious, daring to be ambiguous and surreal, offering a "singular" take on the horror genre that aims to challenge its audience.
Intriguing Metaphorical Layers: The film effectively uses the cryptid and the mystery surrounding Kay's identity as metaphors for deeper themes of trauma, autonomy, and societal issues, inviting deeper reflection.
Cayne McKenzie's Score: The "perfectly reflexive and unsettling score" by Cayne McKenzie is noted for enhancing the film's interiority and reflecting Kay's disoriented mental state.
Summary Short
Kryptic (2024) is Kourtney Roy's directorial debut, a Canadian horror thriller starring Chloe Pirrie. After a strange encounter, an amnesiac woman named Kay discovers she is the exact double of a missing cryptid hunter. Her search for answers leads her into a surreal journey involving a mysterious forest creature, exploring themes of identity, trauma, and the monstrous.
Awards and Nominations
Kryptic premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival on March 10, 2024, in the Midnight section. It had its Canadian premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival (July 25, 2024) and is slated to screen in the Borsos Competition program at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival. While specific major awards have not been announced, its selection for these prestigious festivals indicates strong critical and industry recognition.
Critics Reception
Critical reception for Kryptic has been mixed but largely appreciative of its ambition, unique visual style, and Chloe Pirrie's central performance, despite acknowledging its challenging and often confusing narrative.
Positive Aspects:
Bloody Disgusting: Praised its "bold debut" and "fittingly cryptic form," noting it "immerses audiences in the unnerving loss of identity and disassociation that stems from a violent assault or violation." They highlight Pirrie's "intricate, vulnerable performance."
Dread Central: Described it as "Beautifully Goopy" and a "Fascinating Look At Being Human," commending its surreal and impactful nature.
Exclaim!: Stated Pirrie "helps the film avoid stumbling under the pressure of its confusing plot," and that "when she does come into her power, it's a pleasure to witness — especially for gorehounds."
The Austin Chronicle: Called it a "flawed but promising debut," emphasizing Pirrie's "roiling, internal force that keeps the movie's momentum going."
Nuances/Criticisms:
Many reviewers found the plot "confusing" or "muddled," with a "lack of focus" and "no clear resolution." Some felt it left too many interesting ideas "at a surface level" despite its ambition.
The "goopy, gooey" practical effects were polarizing, with some finding them effective and others finding them simply "gross."
Its highly ambiguous storytelling might be frustrating for audiences seeking straightforward horror or clear answers.
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics largely agree that Kryptic is a unique and visually striking horror thriller, particularly for a debut feature. Its strength lies in Chloe Pirrie's compelling performance and Kourtney Roy's distinctive artistic vision, which creates a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. While its highly ambiguous and non-linear storytelling was a point of contention for some, many appreciated its bold approach to exploring complex themes through the lens of a cryptid narrative.
Reviews
Early audience and festival reviews tend to echo the critical sentiment: Kryptic is a polarizing film that will appeal strongly to those who appreciate surreal, art-house horror and psychological thrillers that prioritize mood and theme over conventional plot. Viewers who are open to ambiguity and don't require explicit explanations are more likely to engage with its unique approach. Those looking for a clear-cut monster movie or a linear narrative may find it challenging. The discussions often revolve around its striking visuals and Chloe Pirrie's captivating lead performance.
Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that Kryptic is a film that truly lives up to its title, offering an enigmatic and visually bold experience that may divide audiences but will likely resonate deeply with those who appreciate experimental, psychological horror.
Production
Kryptic is a Canadian horror thriller film. It marks the feature directorial debut of Kourtney Roy, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Bromley. The film was produced by Josh Huculiak, Amber Ripley, and Sophie Venner. Cinematography was handled by David Bird, with editing by Tommasso Gallone and music by Cayne McKenzie.
Production Companies
Garden Productions
Goodbye Productions
Z56film
IPR.VC (listed on IMDb as a co-producer)
Sales Companies
XYZ Films handled international sales for Kryptic, striking deals for distribution in various territories after its SXSW premiere.
Distribution Companies
Well Go USA Entertainment (Official movie site, indicating distribution in North America)
XYZ Films (International sales)
Theatrical Release
Kryptic had its World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on March 10, 2024. It also had its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2024 and screened in the Borsos Competition program at the Whistler Film Festival in late 2024. It has had limited theatrical screenings as part of these festival runs and likely some specialty cinema engagements.
Why to Recommend This Movie
For Fans of Arthouse Horror: If you appreciate horror films that prioritize atmosphere, psychological depth, and metaphorical storytelling over jump scares and explicit gore.
Unique Vision: To witness the bold and distinctive directorial debut of Kourtney Roy, bringing a photographer's eye to the cinematic medium.
Chloe Pirrie's Performance: For those seeking a compelling central performance, Chloe Pirrie's nuanced portrayal of Kay/Barb is a major highlight.
Thought-Provoking Themes: If you enjoy films that delve into complex themes like identity, trauma, and societal control, using a genre framework.
Why to Watch Movie
Visual Spectacle: To experience its stunning and often unsettling cinematography and unique practical effects.
Surreal and Enigmatic Narrative: If you enjoy films that challenge conventional storytelling and allow for audience interpretation.
Break from Convention: For viewers looking for a horror film that deviates from typical tropes and offers something genuinely different.
Intense Psychological Journey: To immerse yourself in a disorienting yet captivating journey of self-discovery.
What Movie Trend Film is Following
Kryptic follows the trend of "Elevated/Arthouse Horror," which emphasizes psychological depth, thematic complexity, and artistic merit over overt frights, often incorporating social commentary (e.g., Hereditary, It Follows). It also aligns with "Ambiguous Creature Features" that hint at or metaphorically use monsters rather than explicitly showing them, creating a sense of dread and the unknown. Its independent nature and festival circuit run place it within the "Independent Genre Cinema" trend.
What Big Social Trend is Following
The film subtly addresses contemporary social trends concerning "Reckoning with Trauma and Sexual Violence," particularly from a female perspective, and how these experiences can impact one's sense of self and identity. It also touches on broader discussions about "Patriarchal Power Structures" and their subtle, insidious forms of control, using the "monster" as a metaphor for these societal forces. The film's exploration of "Lost Identity" and the search for meaning in a confusing world also resonates with modern anxieties.
Final Verdict
Kryptic is a bold and unyielding directorial debut from Kourtney Roy that truly earns its title. It's a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating horror film that will undoubtedly be a polarizing experience. While its ambiguous narrative and challenging themes may not appeal to all, those who appreciate art-house horror and psychological thrillers will find a rich and unsettling journey. Anchored by a captivating performance from Chloe Pirrie and boasting a unique aesthetic, Kryptic is a singular vision that aims to get under your skin and provoke thought long after the credits roll, cementing its place as a significant entry in the independent horror landscape of 2024.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Embrace Ambiguity: Don't shy away from complex, open-ended narratives if they serve the thematic depth and intended atmosphere, allowing the audience to engage intellectually.
Prioritize Visual Storytelling: Leverage the power of cinematography and art direction to convey mood, character state, and subtext, especially in films with minimal dialogue or clear plot.
Develop Unique Metaphors: Use genre elements (like cryptids or body horror) as powerful metaphors for real-world anxieties and social issues, giving the film a deeper resonance.
Trust Your Artistic Vision: As Kourtney Roy demonstrates, a strong personal vision, even if unconventional, can lead to a distinctive and memorable film.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support Emerging Voices in Genre Cinema: Actively seek out and champion new directors like Kourtney Roy who are pushing the boundaries of genre filmmaking with unique artistic perspectives.
Promote Diverse Approaches to Horror: Recognize that horror can be a vehicle for profound psychological and social commentary, encouraging more experimental and thought-provoking films within the genre.
Embrace Niche Distribution: For films that may not fit mainstream molds, ensure robust digital and VOD distribution strategies to reach their specific, often passionate, audience segments.
Value Artistic Risk-Taking: Provide opportunities for filmmakers to take creative risks with storytelling and visual styles, fostering innovation within the industry.
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