Imagine a Nancy Drew mystery that’s about a serial killer shooting naked couples at a make out point, or imagine a YA thriller with a bit of gore. This odd, but somewhat interesting hybrid of genres is the framework for the Australian thriller The Girl at the Window.
Following the tragic death of her father, Amy (Ella Newton) and her mother (Radha Mitchell) move to a new home. Amy, already traumatized, sees from her upstairs bedroom that the next door neighbor, a sketchy guy with a pedo van, is coming and going late at night with the van’s lights turned off.
Hmm. Could this guy be the infamous Tick Tock Killer who’s been taking out her fellow high schoolers? Well, only if 80 minutes of being too obvious a Red Herring is the way Terence Hammond and Nicolette Minster have decided to tell the story (it’s not, but we have to pretend that we think it’s going to be creepy next door neighbor for the longest time.)
The reveal in the final act feels slightly Scooby Doo-ish, and as I type this, I realize I’ve only made snarky remarks, but the truth is this: sometimes faulty films can be perfectly watchable. Newton does fine work in the lead role and Aussie veteran Rhada Mitchell (my god, I can’t believe she’s old enough to play a Mom now!) lends credibility.
Also, it’s actually been handsomely produced and director Mark Hartley has blocked out the scenes in a clever way. The view from that titular window is crucial to keeping the narrative moving forward, and Hartley has made it cinematically workable.
So, while I can’t recommend it as a great film, I can honestly say that I was engaged and kept watching and thought the performances were worthy.
Girl at the Window is now on VOD/Digital Platforms
