Watch Chop Chop
- NR
- 2020
- 1 hr 21 min
-
3.2 (209)
Chop Chop is a 2020 thriller film directed by Rony Patel and written by Andrew Ericksen. The movie follows the story of a couple, Lance (Jake Brenden Taylor) and Mandy (Atala Arce), who decide to purchase a small house in the middle of the forest, hoping to start a new life together away from the city's chaos. However, things quickly turn from idyllic to mysterious when a stranger, named John (David Harper), appears at their doorstep one night, asking for help.
At first, Lance and Mandy are reluctant to let him in, but given that it's raining outside, they eventually decide to give him shelter for the night. Yet, as the night progresses, Lance discovers that John has a dark and twisted agenda for being there. After some tense conversations, sudden disappearances, and inexplicable events, Lance realizes that he's in a life or death situation, and must find a way to protect himself and Mandy from John's sadistic games.
Chop Chop explores the theme of survival in the face of unpredictable danger. The film's plot is simple yet effective, and it keeps the audiences engaged throughout its duration. Much of the suspense comes from the interplay between the characters and the unpredictable nature of their actions. Lance is portrayed as a likeable yet flawed protagonist, who tries his best to protect his partner from harm, but often falls short due to his naivety and lack of experience in handling such situations.
Atala Arce's portrayal of Mandy is another highlight of the film. Her character's development from a passive observer to a proactive survivor is well-written and executed brilliantly. She is a sharp, quick thinker who has a good head on her shoulders, and her presence brings balance to the tense situation. David Harper's performance as the antagonist, John, is menacing and unnerving. His motives for being there are unclear, and his actions are increasingly disturbing as the events of the night unfold.
The setting of the film is a character in itself. The forest's isolation and darkness create an eerie atmosphere that heightens the sense of danger faced by the main characters. The cinematography is exceptionally well-done, with the outdoor scenes capturing the beauty of the surroundings while adding to the suspense through low angle as well as close-up shots.
One of the film's biggest strengths is its pacing. Chop Chop is a tightly edited movie that keeps the audience on edge from start to finish. The tension slowly builds up, and the director effectively uses sound design to create a sense of dread that steadily increases as the story progresses. The climax is particularly well-executed, with a surprising turn of events that is sure to leave the audience satisfied.
The film's only drawback is its lack of character development for John, who remains a bit of an enigma throughout the story. While this makes him more mysterious and unpredictable, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions about his true intentions.
In conclusion, Chop Chop is a well-crafted thriller that manages to keep the audience engaged through its smart writing, strong performances, and effective direction. It's a testament to the fact that low-budget films can be just as effective as big-budget ones when made with care and attention to detail. Fans of the genre won't be disappointed by this gem of a movie that manages to pack a punch despite its limited resources.
Chop Chop is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.2.