‘The Fearway’ VOD Review
Stars: Shannon Dalonzo, Justin Gordon, Simon Phillips, Eileen Dietz, James Politano, Briahn Auguillard | Written by Noah Bessey | Directed by Robert Gajic
Opening his directorial debut in an intriguing manner, Robert Gajic has a woman’s voiceover share the character’s biggest fear at losing someone she cannot imagine life without. Quick cuts on-screen show a frightened woman chased by an unseen figure as credits roll, with the juxtaposition of audible love and visual fear crafting an intrigue for what circumstances will occur. Sadly, what unfolds cannot match this initial intrigue.
Fiancées Sarah (Shannon Dalonzo) and Michael (Justin Gordon) are driving across a desert setting, passing the time with hypothetical situations. They’re journeying to visit Sarah’s ill father, as she hopes he’ll be able to attend their wedding. Their ham-fisted dialogue is interrupted by the car hitting something, despite there being no sign of whatever they hit.
The situation worsens when a black muscle car begins stalking them across the desolate location, unnerving the pair until they pull off the main road into a nearby diner. While the couple hope to calm down and eat something, it becomes clear they’re at the centre of something sinister which seems inescapable.
The promotional material described The Fearway as a cross between Jeepers Creepers and Duel, a comparison intent on invoking the tension both films crafted with their vehicular chases (as opposed to the sinister real-life elements regarding the former). The heights of neither example is matched, although they aren’t helpful comparisons when the material is more focused on time-loop elements
Such an odd situation is made more disorientating by intriguing elements, such as the sun never setting or how the road never seems to end. These instances are undone by the overly expository third act, where everything is laid bare in a rather generic fashion. The most disappointing element is the muscle car’s driver, brought alive with a lazy design and sudden electricity powers. This growling figure seems like a Frankenstein’s monster of cliches that’s been stitched together to forgettable effect.
As it turns out, the only thing viewers have to fear is watching The Fearway itself.
* 1/5
The Fearway is out now on digital, courtesy of Reel 2 Reel Films.