Written and directed by Colin Bowles, Charlatan is a twisted trip that will leave your spine seriously chilled.
The film begins with a couple ready to move from England to America. Emma (Courtney Rikki Green) and Dave (Adam Mahan Williams) make preparations for moving to America. It will be a completely fresh start for them.
We then leave Emma and Dave, jumping forward in time and across the Atlantic to a different couple – Connor (Ricky Cortez) and Mia (Haley Evans). They are taking a trip to visit Connor’s friend, Bentley (Colin Bowles), and his partner, Olivia (Larissa White). Bentley’s parents have tragically passed away, leaving him to inherit their vast estate. He has invited Connor and Mia to have fun, but they quickly become concerned that Bentley seems to be repressing the emotions surrounding the death of his parents.
Recognising that everyone processes grief differently, the couple settle in to enjoying their getaway. During a particularly apt murder mystery game, a strange noise emerges from the basement. After convincing everyone it was just a painting that had fallen off the wall, Bentley insists nothing is amiss. But Connor and Mia are becoming more and more unsettled.
The film builds tension well. This tension finally erupts as the house is invaded by two mysterious figures. The attackers pick off all four members of the party and hold them captive. The lighting in these scenes is stunning, with an eerie red hue drenching everything in fear. Confusion and terror pervade, but it seems Bentley knows more than he is letting on.
Without spoiling the twist of the film – the climax unfolds in a way reminiscent of Parasite, and the bigger picture finally falls into place. Chillingly well executed, the ending Charlatan is a dramatic fugue that is incredibly well produced.
Beginning slowly and then building to an explosion of activity, the overall effect of the film works well. Colin Bowles captures the slightly unhinged character of Bentley with subtlety, pairing well with Larissa White as his girlfriend, Olivia, to create a destabilised duo that unravel drastically throughout the narrative. Ricky Cortez and Haley Evans as Connor and Mia provide an excellent grounding contrast, reflecting the bafflement and fear of being caught up in this strange scenario.
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