Writer-director James Ersted’s debut feature film, What Happened To Suzy, follows a man with a documentary crew as he searches for his kid sister, who has been missing for years. What transpires is the group following a path of evidence that leads them to a horrifying truth they did not intend to discover.
After his sister’s mysterious disappearance, young locksmith Adam (Dylan Nunez) has become obsessed with finding her and has been spreading the word for any help via multiple television outlets. One documentary director, Don (Paul Parducci), has been trying to make a name for himself by committing to an entire film dedicated to Adam finding his missing sister. With the help of a film student that Don makes his assistant for the film, the small group begins to uncover that Adam’s uncle, Richard (Alain Mora), might have had a hand in it. When Adam confronts his uncle in prison, an immensely paranoid Richard tells Adam that the conspiracy goes much deeper and could cost them all their lives.
“…he searches for his kid sister who has been missing for years…”
Found footage movies tend to be some of the easiest and cheapest ways to make a movie because there is not a huge need for special effects to attract an audience. Since the genre does not need extraordinary sound or cinematography, What Happened To Suzy is a bit difficult to watch because it comes off as very dark and grainy. The “shaky cam” that usually accompanies these kinds of movies is on full display here, so if that is something that bothers you, maybe skip this one.
The acting leaves a lot to be desired, as some scenes feel like the actors are just going through the motions, but that also has a lot to do with the dialogue. The story is intriguing, and the final scene makes wading through the slow pacing worth it.
Despite its inadequacies, What Happened To Suzy is a more than capable film that pays off in the end, even though it drags at times. With an interesting premise such as this film, the next film from Ersted should prove to solidify his place in the indie film community.
"…a more than capable film that pays off in the end..."
