Movie spotlight
SOS
SOS (2021) was presented as part of “This End the Sun,” on view at the New Museum from June 30–October 3, 2021. Strafer’s SOS (2021) interweaves fantastical scenes with the artist’s autobiography to address themes of human cruelty, power, and futility. The work cycles through scenes of night and day, with dolls as protagonists: a girl seemingly stranded on a snowy beach, an elderly man on a medical stretcher, and two EMTs who attend to him. Strafer employs strategies of doubling, interchangeability, and scale shifts, with large hands occasionally swooping down to animate, caress, and bathe the dolls—perhaps in acts of care and/or control. (New Museum)
Insights
Plot Summary
A group of friends on a remote island getaway find themselves targeted by a relentless killer. As they struggle to survive, they uncover dark secrets about the island and the horrifying reasons behind the attacks. The dwindling survivors must band together to fight for their lives against an unseen, deadly force.
Critical Reception
S.O.S. received a largely negative reception from critics, who found the plot predictable and the execution lacking. Audiences also expressed disappointment, citing a formulaic approach to the horror genre and underdeveloped characters. Despite a promising premise, the film failed to deliver a compelling or original viewing experience.
What Reviewers Say
The film relies too heavily on familiar horror tropes.
Lacks originality and fails to build suspense effectively.
Character development is minimal, making it difficult to connect with the protagonists.
Google audience: Audience reviews for S.O.S. are scarce, but general sentiment points to a disappointing and uninspired horror flick that does little to stand out.
Fun Fact
Director Jared Cohn is known for his prolific work in the direct-to-video and low-budget film market, often directing multiple films per year.
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