In the long history of horror, lesbian relationships were something of a fixation for directors. This fascination has led to works by camp, wildly homophobic characters and sometimes refreshing representations. “Alone With You,” the first feature film from the writing-directing duo Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks, is the latest horror film to join this line. Unfortunately, his lesbian representation is so sloppy that his fears suffer as well.
The film revolves around Charlie (Bennett), a makeup artist in New York who lives with her friend Simone (Emma Myles), who is a photographer. Charlie is excited to see Simone return home on the night of their wedding day, but when Simone becomes increasingly unreachable and Charlie is locked up in their Brooklyn apartment, a sinister story begins to creep in. It seems Simone is not who she says she is, but neither, it seems, is Charlie.
First the lesbian problem: the female protagonists never kiss (or, for that matter) each other, but there are multiple shots of Simone, who is mainly portrayed as negligent and unreliable, kissing a man.
The horror problem is a little less dire. “Alone With You” is often sly in its creepiness, piling up ominous quirks before the jump scare sets in. But with Charlie and Simone’s relationship already in doubt, the entire third act—including the “why” behind all this terror—falls apart. Is Charlie a Tortured Lover or Just Another Textbook Lesbian Psychopath? Regardless, the film’s reveal is regressive, treading the same territory as “High Tension” or “What Keeps You Alive.”
Just with you
Not judged. Running time: 1 hour 23 minutes. Now in theaters, on demand February 8.
