‘I Am Rage’ Review #2

Stars: Hannaj Bang Bendz, Jamie Chambers, Marta Svetka, Derek Nelson, Antonia Whillans, Luke Aquilina| Written by Steven Durham | Directed by David Ryan Keith

Co-writer/director David Ryan Keith begins his film with the sight of a woman (Marta Svetek) readying herself to work, applying lipstick before she puts on her uniform of a mask and a black cloak. She then enters a room highlighting her depraved task, which involves a man tied to a chair and the table of utensils before him. While the man manages to free himself, any hopes of escape are fleeting as he is soon beaten down and executed, with a bucket underneath his slit throat collecting as much blood as possible to prevent “a waste of a good product”.

Meanwhile, Erin (Hannaj Bang Bendz) is preparing for a tranquil getaway with her boyfriend, Adam (Derek Nelson). Joining them are Adam’s brother, Michael (Luke Aquilina), along with his girlfriend, Sarah (Antonia Whillans), with the couple’s first meeting ending unfortunately. They travel to the brothers’ family home, where tradition is upheld by announcing their arrival by blowing a ceremonial horn.

It soon becomes clear that the family have creepy plans of their own, although they are unaware of who Erin is or that she is taking medication to keep her rage in check. As she tries to escape to safety with Sarah, the pair must journey through the family’s lavish home which contains no refuge for 100 miles, with anyone who comes in their way receiving the lead’s unleashed rage.

While key revelations are played as surprises, such as the identity of the unrevealed sister and who the blood cult are, I Am Rage hints too heavily at these instances, leading to it prematurely showing its hand. Once the film moves past this, the focus is on the twisted family dynamics as the ringleader of this nightmarish operation takes charge. What keeps the attention through the passable action and middling characterization is the satisfying way Erin tears through this awful family, particularly when the hiss-worthy figures receive rightfully nasty kills. The clear highlight involves a quip about a broken heart, and one wishes the film reached that entertaining level more often.

**½  2.5/5

I Am Rage is out now on DVD and Digital. Read an alternate review of the film right here.