This is one of those titles where there are moving parts which build tension and rise rapidly. Crushed takes place in a diverseinternational setting. The title made me feel like I was “crushed” because of the stress surrounding a family and a chain of events that sets off much worrisome news. For Fantastic Fest, this is afilm that speaks to all types of audiences. It has plenty of suspense and dives into uncharted territory from many different creative angles.

The film is written and directed by Simon Rumley and focuses on a family living in Bangkok. The head of the family is FatherDaniel (Steve Oram). He is a pastor, and his wife is May (May Nattaporn Rawddon). The film begins with an emphasis on religion and empathy. Morals are put to the test throughout the story, but when the daughter of Daniel and May is kidnapped, the heads roll in Crushed.

The strange moving parts in this film begin when their daughter gets freaked out by a video. This causes her cat to go missing, and then the daughter spirals. This film showcases a wonderful juxtaposition which effectively paints the portrait of a messed-up scenario. Some elements may seem confusing, but the truth may lie within the realm of the darkness in Crushed.

The story is about seeking justice while also finding a means to safety.  The suspense in Crushed is continuously in tune which results in a breathless work-of-art that feels like a real-life situation. It is surreal and a lot for the eyes to take. This film is one of the most authentic yet daring rides in this year’s Fantastic Fest. Three out of four stars.