Film Review - The Group (2022)

Despite the generic title, there’s a few positives throughout this undeniably draining single location drama revolving around a regular supportive meet up of addicts that are infiltrated by a gunman, intent on exposing sordid secrets within the group.

The highest point of this indie is an exhilarating performance from relative unknown Evangelina Burton as troublesome returning member, Kara.

Deciding to return to the after dark circle after a brief absence, Kara soon finds herself in the mix of a hostage situation where a gunslinger with an ulterior motive takes the group to the brink of confession time one by one.

There seems to be a secret to each individual that the weapon wielding man draws out of them, but it’s the private, whispered conversations that bring the most substance, keeping the audience alert to proceedings.

Sympathy and anger are explored by the armed angry mystery man (Dylan Baldwin, terrific in underseen thriller, The Girl with the Fork) he slowly rises to boiling point whilst making his violent reasoning known.

A small ensemble of actors including Alicia Novak, Jennifer Aries, Mike Nelson, Tom Coulston, among others have their limelight but all are overshadowed by aforementioned Burton.

Spoiler free, she contributes to the most pivotal image in the entire movie well captured by cinematographer, Andrew Litt, whilst the lead up to that crushing point in time, Evangaline bristles in screen presence with optimum, pure talent.

An unobtrusive score still manages to build tension composed by Dennis Tjiok.

The Group could’ve been a boring talk-fest, to some it may be. Thankfully running time is a prompt 75 minutes including end credits. Debut feature director William Higo has also written a somewhat intriguing story of tragedy, elevated by quality performances.