When a couple in financial distress discover GPS coordinates that promise to lead to stolen gold they must partner with a pair of mysterious hitchhikers to enter the remote winter wilderness to recover the coins.
With a lengthy yet peculiar synopsis, Numb is an even more peculiar film. It has a pretty unique plot as far as horror/thrillers go and it's quick to get the ball rolling.
Numb is a clever title too. It's obviously a reference to the biting cold that our characters find themselves trapped within, but is also a nod to the coldness of the human heart and how we numb ourselves to the needs of others. It is a well-crafted film and is impeccably acted. Our four main characters are fantastically portrayed by Jamie Bamber as Will, Marie Avgeropoulos as Cheryl, Aleks Paunovic as Lee, and Stefanie von Pfetten as Dawn.
Whilst the progression of the story was pretty predictable, the characters were very watchable, though not necessarily likable. Will is a bit of a Jerry; he pitiful, down on his luck and too suggestible. Will's wife, Dawn, seems to make one bad decision after another and Cheryl obviously cares for no one but herself. Lee is the most likable of the quartet, a philosophy-spouting ex-com that talks like a new age monk. I was also very excited to see Colin Cunningham appear as the trapper. Although he only gets a few minutes of screen time, he completely brings the zany character to life; such an underused actor. I'd love to what he can do with a feature role.
Also, the makeup is pretty amazing, with a lot of detail and hard work going into showing off the ever-worsening effects of the cold. The degradation and freezing over of the clothing was also a nice touch, showing considerable attention to detail.
The cinematography was top-notch, with the breathtaking views and stunning scenery getting much-deserved attention. The score was not too obtrusive or conspicuous and blended well with the sounds of the squalls and the serenity of the setting.
While some may find the ending somewhat cheesy and the twist rather uninspiring, there really weren't many other ways for a film like this to end. Overall, a very watchable film and chilling experience (Sorry, couldn't resist). It's a bit of a slow-burn, but it did not leave me wanting. Check out the trailer below and catch Numb on VOD on November 13th.
