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Poolside

Synopsis

Meg Stephens is a 1950’s high society housewife who put her dreams aside for her family but is left to fend for herself with the aid of alcohol, Librium and Valium, and her own mental stability in a massive modern home with a golf course view. While swimming in her upscale, indoor pool, she begins to hear voices.

She decides to find out why she hears voices. Even Emma, the cleaning lady, refused to continue her work there after her horrifying experiences while alone in the house. Jeff Murphy is ready to sell his house to a lovely couple, Austin and Sarah Peterson, and will not let stories of a woman dying years ago affect this transaction.

Review

4/5
An experimental thriller that explores isolation and mental health.
Directed by Alex Kinter and Erik Schuessler, from a screenplay by Schuessler, ‘Poolside’ is a tense experimental thriller that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, addiction and mental health. Anne Beyer stars as Meg – a 1950’s housewife who is couped up in her suburban home. Meg battles with her patience as she waits the return of her husband and children – currently away on a camping trip. ‘Poolside’ promises a flood of suspense and mystery throughout.

The 17-minute film, set around an indoor pool, opens with our protagonist swimming alone, eating breakfast and diary logging her current thoughts. Anne Beyer delivers a captivating performance as Meg – her anxiety and fear is effortlessly felt. Meg, in isolation, turns to medication and alcohol to escape her loneliness and the mysterious voices she hears around the pool. The thriller continues with a dark twist that provides a haunting, paranormal conclusion.

Poolside Short Film
Visually, the cinematography and 1950’ production design is impressive – the attention to detail is commendable. Narratively, the film rewards viewers with a chilling storyline that explores mental-health and loneliness without sensationalism. ‘Poolside’ experiments with time-travel – a brave narrative journey – delivered swimmingly. Kinter and Schuessler (Directors), with the cast/crew, have created an excellent thriller that deserves high appreciation.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Alex Kinter, Erik Schuessler
Writer(s): Erik Schuessler
Cast: Adam Lutrull, Anne Beyer, Giovanny, Jennifer Kristin, Oscar Seung
Producer(s): Adrian Trent, Alex Kinter, Elizabeth Parks, Erik Schuessler, Jose Luis Partida, Judy Ciancio, Matt Shanahan, Michael Ciancio
Director of Photography:
Editor(s):
Animation:
Sound:
Music: Darius Holbert
Miscellaneous:

Specifications

Genre: Experimental, Thriller
Subjects: Addiction, Afterlife, Anxiety, Art, Depression, Isolation, Loneliness, Mental Health, Murder, Paranormal, Spirituality, Suicide
Country: United States
Language: English
Year: 2020
Published in April 2022
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Cast/Crew

Director(s): Alex Kinter, Erik Schuessler
Writer(s): Erik Schuessler
Cast: Adam Lutrull, Anne Beyer, Giovanny, Jennifer Kristin, Oscar Seung
Producer(s): Adrian Trent, Alex Kinter, Elizabeth Parks, Erik Schuessler, Jose Luis Partida, Judy Ciancio, Matt Shanahan, Michael Ciancio
Director of Photography:
Editor(s):
Animation:
Sound:
Music: Darius Holbert
Miscellaneous:

Specifcations

Genre: Experimental, Thriller
Subjects: Addiction, Afterlife, Anxiety, Art, Depression, Isolation, Loneliness, Mental Health, Murder, Paranormal, Spirituality, Suicide
Country: United States
Language: English
Year: 2020
Collections:

Recommended

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5/5

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  • Horror, Thriller
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  • 2022
After the mysterious death of one of their own, a crisis of faith strikes the isolated 17th century nunnery which ultimately leads to tragedy….
REVIEW
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In the Hands of: Depression

  • Drama
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Follow the journey of Me; a person dealing with depression in his day to day life….
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Poolside

Synopsis

Meg Stephens is a 1950’s high society housewife who put her dreams aside for her family but is left to fend for herself with the aid of alcohol, Librium and Valium, and her own mental stability in a massive modern home with a golf course view. While swimming in her upscale, indoor pool, she begins to hear voices.

She decides to find out why she hears voices. Even Emma, the cleaning lady, refused to continue her work there after her horrifying experiences while alone in the house. Jeff Murphy is ready to sell his house to a lovely couple, Austin and Sarah Peterson, and will not let stories of a woman dying years ago affect this transaction.

Review

An experimental thriller that explores isolation and mental health.

4/5
Directed by Alex Kinter and Erik Schuessler, from a screenplay by Schuessler, ‘Poolside’ is a tense experimental thriller that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, addiction and mental health. Anne Beyer stars as Meg – a 1950’s housewife who is couped up in her suburban home. Meg battles with her patience as she waits the return of her husband and children – currently away on a camping trip. ‘Poolside’ promises a flood of suspense and mystery throughout.

The 17-minute film, set around an indoor pool, opens with our protagonist swimming alone, eating breakfast and diary logging her current thoughts. Anne Beyer delivers a captivating performance as Meg – her anxiety and fear is effortlessly felt. Meg, in isolation, turns to medication and alcohol to escape her loneliness and the mysterious voices she hears around the pool. The thriller continues with a dark twist that provides a haunting, paranormal conclusion.

Poolside Short Film
Visually, the cinematography and 1950’ production design is impressive – the attention to detail is commendable. Narratively, the film rewards viewers with a chilling storyline that explores mental-health and loneliness without sensationalism. ‘Poolside’ experiments with time-travel – a brave narrative journey – delivered swimmingly. Kinter and Schuessler (Directors), with the cast/crew, have created an excellent thriller that deserves high appreciation.

Recommended

REVIEW
4/5

The Fourfold

  • Animation, Documentary, Experimental
  • Canada
  • 2020
Based on the ancient shamanic rituals and animistic beliefs in Mongolia and Siberia, an exploration of the indigenous worldview and wisdom. With hand-crafted imagery, a testament of reclaiming animism for planetary health and non-human materialities….
REVIEW
5/5

A Tale of Tragedy

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  • 2022
After the mysterious death of one of their own, a crisis of faith strikes the isolated 17th century nunnery which ultimately leads to tragedy….
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Say the Quiet Part Loud

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