Dirty Boy (2024) Raindance Film Festival Review
Raised in an oppressive cult, a reclusive schizophrenic discovers that he’s being framed by cult leaders for a series of ritualistic murders and must prove his innocence by saving their next victim and destroying the evil sect.
DIRTY BOY, written and directed by Doug Rao, is a well-acted and put together affair. The film’s visual aesthetic is enhanced by stunning scenery (DIRTY BOY was filmed around various locations around lake Grundlsee in Styria, Austria) which is a feast for the eyes and compensates from the otherwise restrictive locations that feature in the film.
I was not always clear on what was going on with DIRTY BOY, segments of the film felt muddled. This could just be me though. At the time of writing there were no other critiques available online to gage whether I was just having an ‘off’ moment when reviewing this film or whether the forthcoming consensus agrees with my sentiment.
DIRTY BOY kicks off well, with an opening scene involving masked men having their wicked way with women, certainly draws one in and captures the attention, and no, not for any lurid reason, but this arresting opening simply has one itching to see where the storyline goes next. What follows remains watchable but failed to engage as strongly as its beginning, also movies about cults are commonplace and this fails to have that extra something to make it stand out in an already overcrowded marketplace.
Dirty Boy will have its UK Premiere at Raindance Film Festival on 22nd June and will be in UK Cinemas from from 22nd August
Location: Vue Piccadilly – Screen 4 / Time: 6.45pm