Watch Chemical Peel

Chemical Peel is a 2014 horror-thriller film directed by Hank Braxtan and starring Natalie Victoria, Arielle Brachfeld, and Stephanie Greco. The movie follows a group of friends, including Angelica (Victoria), Emily (Brachfeld), and Heidi (Greco) who decide to take a relaxing weekend getaway to a isolated desert ranch. However, their attempts at relaxation are quickly shattered when they discover that the ranch is actually a testing facility for a top secret government project.

Things take a turn for the worse when the group accidentally releases a lethal biological toxin into the air, causing everyone except Emily to fall ill. The friends soon realize that they are not alone and must band together to fight for their lives against the infection as well as a group of soldiers sent to eliminate any witnesses to the project.

The tension in Chemical Peel is palpable from the start, as the audience is immediately introduced to an ominous and claustrophobic atmosphere. The use of handheld cameras and dim lighting add to the sense of confinement and dread that permeates throughout the film. The sparse landscape outside the ranch also adds to the feeling of isolation, and the audience can't help but feel trapped along with the characters.

The acting in Chemical Peel is solid across the board, with the main trio of Victoria, Brachfeld, and Greco excellently conveying their characters' fear and desperation in the face of the deadly virus. While the characterizations are somewhat thin, the actresses manage to bring depth to their roles and develop convincing chemistry between each other. The rest of the cast is also competent, with the soldiers serving as terrifying and ruthless antagonists.

One of the strongest aspects of Chemical Peel is its sound design. The movie makes great use of sound effects to heighten tension and build suspense, and the score by composer Christopher Drake is top-notch. The sound is an integral component of the movie's horror elements, and it is used to great effect to create an unnerving and unsettling atmosphere.

The special effects in Chemical Peel are commendable as well, with the makeup team doing an excellent job of making the infected characters look gruesome and terrifying. The gore is realistic without being too over-the-top, which makes the horror elements even more effective.

While Chemical Peel is undeniably a horror movie, it also touches on themes of friendship, trust, and betrayal. The character dynamics are well-established, and the audience can't help but root for the group of friends as they fight for their lives. There are also moments of humor scattered throughout the movie, which serve to break up the tension and provide some much-needed levity.

Overall, Chemical Peel is an engaging and suspenseful horror-thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie is well-paced, with a tight story and effective atmosphere that is sure to please fans of the genre. The performances, sound design, and special effects are all top-notch, making for a truly memorable horror experience.

Chemical Peel is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.