Stalker (AKA Blinders) (2020) Review

Stalker (AKA Blinders) (2020) Review

In the wake of a messy break-up, Andy Escobedo (Vincent Van Horn) decides to start fresh, relocating from Austin to Los Angeles. Eager to make new connections, he befriends Roger (Michael Lee Joplin), an unusual ride-share driver. But when Roger’s behaviour gets too strange for comfort, Andy blows him off, choosing to focus on a budding relationship with his new girlfriend, Sam (Christine Ko). This unhinges Roger, who begins to torment Andy, ensuring that his stay in L.A. is short-lived.

STALKER made its world premiere at London’s Arrow Video FrightFest Digital Edition last August. A highlight of the festival, it was was hailed by critics, who praised the film for “a stellar cast, a tight script and strong direction (Entertainment Focus) and warned “you might not be so quick to strike up a conversation with that stranger after this” (Starburst).

Directed by Tyler Savage, who co-wrote with producer Dash Hawkins, STALKER doesn’t initially look to be offering up anything new, stalkers have inhabited movies for at least as long as I’ve been a film-fan. From the terrifying Alex Forrest in FATAL ATTRACTION to Jennifer Jason-Leigh in SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, there’s been no shortage of hapless folks who have ended up connecting with the wrong person and suffered the consequences.

It’s also not been that long since we were lumbered with HOMEWRECKER which, whilst splendidly acted, didn’t exactly bring anything to the mix so sitting down to review STALKER didn’t exactly have me hyped up with excitement. In fact I was expecting just another run-of-the-mill thriller with the same DNA as the majority of the aforementioned movies and for the most part it looked like I was right.

However it turns out that I was wrong, very wrong. With the big reveal that comes in the film’s final third, this laugh-free take on Jim Carrey’s THE CABLE GUY, suddenly shifts gear and becomes much more than the generic offering it was shaping up as being. Don’t just take my word for it, check it out. I promise you that you’ll be as delightfully surprised as I was.

STALKER debuted on UK VOD 21st May

Trailer