Human Resources (2021) Review

Human Resources (2021) Review

HUMAN RESOURCES is the impressive feature debut from one to watch filmmaker Braden Swope (DRAW, STU v. DREW), who was just 19 years old when he wrote, directed, edited, and produced this haunting horror. The film makes its UK debut on digital this April thanks to Miracle Media. Clock-in for the shift from hell as a hardware store worker uncovers a disturbing and deadly conspiracy, plunging into the darkest corners of the store, compelled to confront the terrifying forces that are lurking deep within.

HUMAN RESOURCE’s initial set-up is both effective and appealing, and I was looking forward to seeing what else there was in store for me (retail pun intended). There’s the creepy vibe of near-empty retail store Brooke’s Hardware, staff disappearing and the added mystery of what’s lurking behind THAT padlocked door at the back of the building. These elements initially kept me intrigued but the film’s pacing dragged, the situations became repetitive not everything made sense.

The script for low budget B-Movie flick relies heavily on exposition and calls for lead character Sam Coleman (Hugh McCrae Jr.) to be one-note, constantly nervous and panicked, which became wearing, think SCOOBY DOO’s Shaggy in freaked-out mode. However, the film’s score has a nice Eighties retro-vibe and there is a great – if not unique – premise here. Also, when you factor in that director Braden Swope, here making his directorial feature film debut, was just nineteen-year-old at the time of putting HUMAN RESOURCES in front of the camera then aside from the issues mentioned he displays potential.

On digital 21 April from Miracle Media