Movie spotlight
One of Them!
One of Them! was one of two dramas (alongside Niki Caro movie Memory and Desire) inspired by short stories collected in Peter Wells' 1991 book Dangerous Desires. It was made for TV One as a Montana Sunday drama. Set in Auckland, 1965, One of Them! follows Lemmy and Jamie, two teenage boys coming to terms with their sexuality. In the dark days before gay liberation, bullying and intimidation was rife, and while the boys flaunt their sissyness, their internalized homophobia wreaks havoc on their emotional lives — until they can admit to being "one of them".
Insights
Plot Summary
A group of young adults attend a remote, eerie mountain resort for a summer getaway. Unbeknownst to them, the resort is a front for a sinister organization that kidnaps and transforms people into monstrous creatures for sport. As the group tries to survive the night, they uncover the horrifying truth and must fight for their lives against the grotesque transformations and their captors.
Critical Reception
One of Them! is a low-budget horror-comedy that garnered a mixed to negative reception. While some praised its attempt at dark humor and creative creature effects for its budget, many critics found the plot to be derivative, the acting uneven, and the pacing inconsistent. It's often regarded as a cult film within the B-movie horror circuit.
What Reviewers Say
Appreciated for its campy humor and practical creature effects on a small budget.
Criticized for its predictable plot and inconsistent performances.
Considered a cult favorite among fans of B-movie horror.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce due to the film's niche status. Those that exist often highlight its fun, over-the-top gore and comedic elements, but acknowledge its significant flaws in script and execution.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on a very limited budget, with many of the effects and creature designs being handled by a small, dedicated team working with practical materials.
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