Verdict
Summary
Death Grip is a fine indie picture with really likable characters, excellent fight scenes and an unpredictable story.
Plot: In an effort to set his life straight, Kenny Zemacus checks his autistic brother Mark out of the care home where he’s spent the past fifteen years since their mother’s death. When Kenny reluctantly brings Mark on a last minute museum catering gig, Mark unwittingly entangles them in a dangerous heist involving the museum’s showpiece-the Silver Coin of Judas-and a murderous satanic cult known as The Knights of Judas. The two brothers are propelled into the cult’s demonic world where they must fight for their lives and face the depths of their own dark past.
Review: With Eric Jacobus’ new short film Blindsided coming on March 1st I thought now would be a good time to revisit his early film Death Grip. What I love about this movie is that it feels so unique; the story is quirky and something a little different which will have you rooting for the two brothers Kenny and Mark.
Nathan Hoskins is fantastic as Mark and brings such gentleness to his role that you feel so protective of him; it’s tough to play this kind of role but he pulls it off beautifully. Eric Jacobus plays his brother Kenny who has to take care of him and their relationship is more complex than you first think. Mark blames himself for the death of their mother but Kenny has his own feelings of guilt which he struggles with throughout.
I really enjoyed watching the story unfold as I had no idea what direction it was going to go in so it kept me engaged; I also love that despite the film’s low budget they used squibs and none that CG blood bullshit and there is lots of the red stuff too. The fight scenes are superbly choreographed with Jacbous really showing off his martial arts prowess; my favourite being when he faces off against three thugs who try to steal a gift from their mother from Mark. You can see all the moves with nice fluid camera work maknig this really a textbook on how to do an indie fight flick.
My only gripe with the film is there is an over use of the flash forward aspect; we get emotionally invested in a fight scene then it cuts back to a few minutes before and it was basically a fantasy of Kenny’s wondering how it would play out.
Overall, Death Grip is a fine indie picture with really likable characters, excellent fight scenes and an unpredictable story. Other independent filmmakers could learn a lot from it.
Buy Death Grip online here: http://stuntpeoplestore.bigcartel.com
