PopHorror Let's Get Scared
How far would you go to rescue your kidnapped baby? This is one of many questions the new psychological horror film Listen Carefully asks. Listen Carefully delves into Andy’s descent into madness as he try to rescue his 3 month old daughter, Abby, who has been kidnapped for a ransom.
Listen Carefully Synopsis
When assistant bank manager Andy McNeary’s infant daughter goes missing, he must follow the instructions of a mysterious voice on the baby monitor to save her before she disappears forever.
Ryan Barton-Grimley wrote, directed, and also stars in the film. The cast includes Ari Schneider, Simone Barton-Grimley, David Rickabaugh, Patrick Pankhurst and Richard Gayler.
Listen Carefully is a very interesting film in that you’re never quite sure what’s going on and what’s real and what isn’t. The protagonist, Andy, is overcome by blackouts where he experiences visions. We are left to wonder if they are anxious thoughts of what could be or memories of something forgotten. He’s under immense stress due to stealing from his job, being left alone with his daughter for the first time, and then she goes missing. He’s ran all around town doing various tasks with the promise of getting his daughter back.
Director Ryan Baton-Grimley delivers a solid performance as Andy with all his anxiety, frustration, fear and anger at the things he’s expected to do and the events unfolding around him. He’s really put through the ringer and driven to the brink of madness trying to get his daughter Abby back. The film never quite goes where you expect it and has some moments of unexpected humor as well as moments that are anxiety inducing. I’m still not quite sure what to make of the ending but Listen Carefully kept me invested throughout.
Final Thoughts
Listen Carefully is a film that is an anxious and entralling experience that will keep you guessing and maybe leave you a bit perplexed. The film premiered recently at Dances With Films. I definitely recommend checking it out when it releases to a wider audience.
