Feature film debuts are no easy feat, having to not only craft an effective and entertaining story, but leave a signature imprint that will bring audiences back. Though director Bryn Chainey showcases considerable talent behind the camera, Rabbit Trap fails to leave much of an impression, wasting a novel and intriguing concept as well as presenting the audience a puzzle box that unfortunately isn’t worth the effort solving.
Rabbit Trap centers on a married couple Darcy (Dev Patel) and Daphne (Rosy McEwen) who are musicians who move from London to a modest cottage in Wales to look for inspiration for their latest album in order to try and complete it. However, completing their album becomes the least of their worries after accidentally recording a peculiar and mystical sound they’ve never heard before, causing the pair to gradually disconnect from reality.
The central concept is tantalizing to say the least and the film does an admirable job establishing the core mystery, slowly drawing the viewer in with its impressive sound design and gorgeous cinematography, the marriage of the two creating a wholly immersive and claustrophobic atmosphere. Chainey’s direction is also strong and assured, a tangible confidence shining through his shot choices, composition and thoughtful approach to the material. He makes great use of the isolated setting, making the viewer feel an interminable sense of dread throughout. His direction is aided by stellar sound design that is not only visceral, but feels as if it’s vibrating through the screen, allowing the audience to feel the uneasiness and discomfort of Darcy and Daphne consistently. Not only that, but he’s able to pull terrific work out of his cast here as well.
Patel has proven to be a genre chameleon throughout his career, vacillating between big budget genre work and small scale independent films. He always knows how to calibrate his performances accordingly and his work here is no different. Patel imbues Darcy with a warmth and tenderness that masks deep-seeded trauma and fear stemming from his past. He’s able to play these different shades wonderfully and is a consistently compelling presence here. McEwen is also fantastic, especially as she begins to lose her grasp on reality. Her chemistry with Patel is palpable, the two of them able to make their relationship feel lived-in and authentic despite their underwritten characters.
However, despite these advantages, the film fails to follow through on the potential of its mystical mystery, ultimately becoming a sluggish, tiresome experience. The pacing is glacial at best, taking far too long to put the pieces on the board and build tension. The film feels far too preoccupied disorienting the viewer with unsettling sounds and abstract visuals instead of putting more focus on its core characters and story that clearly needed more attention. As a result, by the time the mystery begins to unfurl its layers, the attention and intrigue is lost. This is a film that is simply unable to keep the viewer’s attention and is too obtuse for its own good.
The main issue rears its ugly head when Daphne and Darcy cross paths with a character deemed “The Child” (Jade Croot). The relationship that spawns from the three of them coming into contact is not only bizarre, but also tests the limits and boundaries of once’s patience. The character becomes an incessant antagonizing presence the more he becomes attached to the couple. While Croot delivers a strong, lively performance, it can’t save an uninteresting and frankly maddening character. Though the true nature of his character remains a mystery for the majority of the film, the obvious metaphor his character represents isn’t nearly as emotionally compelling as it should be.
Making matters worse is that despite the fact McEwen and Patel have solid chemistry, their relationship is hardly fleshed out, making them a couple that is difficult to root for considering they hardly feel three-dimensional. This becomes a considerable issue as the stakes and tension reach a fever pitch in the film’s final act due to the fact it was difficult to emotionally invest in their plight and dire situation. Patel and McEwen give it their all, but they unfortunately can’t elevate the half- baked material that does their characters an immense disservice.
Rating: 1.5/5 stars
Rabbit Trap is a deeply frustrating debut feature. Despite a fantastic cast, strong cinematography, sound design, and a refreshingly original concept, this a film that fails to effectively mystify or engage the viewer after an engrossing start. Chainey has notable talent behind the camera, but this is a freshman feature that keeps the audience at a distance far too much instead of letting them in.
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