XTRMNTR – Short Film Review

The golden age of the revenge film has passed, but since the 70’s there’s been a steady resurging trend for more. It’s a popular subgenre, I believe because just about everyone can relate. Who hasn’t, at some point, had something occur in their life when they didn’t secretly desire some form of revenge?

XTRMNTR (2010) joins this growing list of revenge films, a 6½-minute short from writer Phil Jeng Kane, producer Annabelle Fouchard and director Andrew Millner. Shot with a Red One camera over three days in Perth, Australia, the highlight of the film is the production value.

Karl (Vito de Francesco) and Simon (Kazimir Sas) are professional exterminators, on a job setting poisoned gas bombs for a rat infestation. The two characters appear to be average, working-class blokes, but there’s something unspoken between the two men that’s about to reveal itself with devastating consequences. This is where the underlying story begins to develop.

Let’s begin with the end. I won’t ruin the money shot, but I will say that the “big-budget” ending is courtesy of the well-planned use of a house already scheduled for demolition. XTRMNTR is an impressive example of how independent filmmakers can create believably expensive-looking shots and effects without a million-dollar budget.

Cinematographer Rob Castiglione adds to the pleasing production value with his yellow-tinged color palette. There’s a gritty essence woven into the interior shots as Karl and Simon settle an unexpected score. XTRMNTR begins harmless enough, then turns on a dime, revealing the first of two major twists in the otherwise simple story. The depth of story in the film remains rather shallow, but the concise way in which the filmmakers construct the premise makes up for the lack of character development.

XTRMNTR shows potential for high-octane suspenseful cinema. As a feature film, character development could take hold and result in a stronger, longer-lasting impact on the viewer that simply isn’t achieved in 6½ minutes. Regardless, it’s a film that leaves an impression as a calling card for films.

XTRMNTR had its world premiere screening during the Future Shorts One Film Festival in Perth on February 16^th, 2011.

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