Watch Psychophonia
- 2018
- 1 hr 15 min
-
4.1 (314)
Psychophonia is a psychological thriller released in 2016, directed by Brianne Davis and written by Andrew W. Walker. The movie follows the story of Lily, played by Vedette Lim, a talented pianist who begins to suffer from increasingly odd and alarming experiences. Following the recent passing of her father, she is left alone in his expansive home, struggling to come to terms with both his death and her own mental instability. As she seeks solace in the music room, she discovers an old tape machine, and through it, unwittingly awakes a malevolent ghost that has long been dormant within the walls of the house.
The film takes place almost entirely within the confines of the grand old house and its music room, the perfect setting for a psychological thriller. The atmosphere is tense and claustrophobic, with every creak and groan of the house adding to the sense of foreboding. The sparse and chilly soundtrack adds further to this, with the occasional piano notes from Lily’s playing punctuating the silence.
As Lily’s haunted experiences become increasingly terrifying, she enlists the help of a local paranormal expert, Michael, played by Andrew W. Walker. Michael is also struggling to come to terms with loss, having lost his wife and child in a tragic accident. His character brings a level-headedness and rationality to the film, offsetting the increasing hysteria of Lily as she becomes more and more erratic.
The interplay between Lily and Michael is delicately balanced, with neither character fully trusting the other, and an underlying romantic tension bubbling away. As Michael delves deeper into the history of the house, he discovers the dark secrets that have been hidden away for many years. The backstory of the house is revealed through increasingly disturbing flashbacks, adding more depth to the story.
The central mystery revolves around Lily’s father, Daniel, played by Daniel Quinn. Although he has passed away, he lingers in the background, exerting an eerie and malevolent presence. Through flashbacks, we see that Daniel was a ruthless and ambitious man, who was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. It is slowly revealed that his death was no accident, and that Lily is in grave danger from his power-hungry spirit.
The plot twists and turns, with red herrings aplenty, and enough suspenseful moments to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. As the tension ramps up, so too does Lily’s hysteria, leading to a climactic and heart-pounding finale. The resolution of the film is satisfying, and gives the viewer a sense of closure after the intense journey.
The acting in Psychophonia is top-notch, with Vedette Lim delivering a stand-out performance as Lily. Her portrayal of a woman on the brink is both convincing and chilling, with enough vulnerability to make the viewer sympathize with her, despite her increasingly erratic behavior. Andrew W. Walker is also excellent as Michael, delivering a strong and nuanced performance that anchors the film.
Overall, Psychophonia is a well-crafted and effective psychological thriller. Combining haunting visuals, a tense atmosphere, and strong performances, it delivers a rewarding and suspenseful viewing experience.
Psychophonia is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.