A stalker’s obsession turns into a murderous plot to take over the family life they’ve never had in DeShon Hardy’s thriller What Lies Under The Tree.
While psychological thrillers have been a constant staple of Hollywood’s output, back in the early 90’s there was a run of hugely successful films in this genre. One of the most popular and well-remembered was Curtis Hanson’s 1992 film The Hand That Rocks the Cradle about a vengeful nanny, who infiltrates a family home and systematically destroys their lives. Becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle was also nominated for two Oscars, one for its star Rebecca De Mornay and another for writer Amanda Silver.
Initially, What Lies Under The Tree follows the path well-worn by ‘Cradle’ by giving us a cute couple, a vulnerable child in danger, and an unstable protagonist who begins to wreak havoc on this seemingly perfect family. Where writer and director Hardy comes into his own though is in the twist that turns the film completely on its head; becoming something altogether darker and far more interesting.
Leon and Aja, played with exquisite chemistry by actors Monti Washington and Gabrielle Ryan, are a newly-wed couple full of love and laughter when, at a well-attended Christmas party, a strange woman named Christina (a desperate Erica Peeples) is discovered wandering around their child’s bedroom. Christina is clearly troubled and searching for her husband and child, both of whom she believes to have disappeared without a trace. Because Christina’s husband shares a similar name to Leon, she is automatically drawn to this couple and begins to show up unexpectedly at the worst of times.
Fearing for their safety and that of their child, Leon and Aja report Christina to the police, where Detective Weeden (the stoic Stephen Rider) takes up their case, determined to help the family through such a worrying time. As the film progresses, Weeden discovers compelling evidence that begins to throw more light on the situation.
Under the guidance of Hardy’s direction, Aram Bauman’s cinematography in What Lies Under The Tree is used to great effect to create a sense of unease and dread. The film is often shot in low light, with shadows looming in the corners of the frame. This creates a sense of mystery and suspense leaving the audience unsure of what is lurking in the darkness. Close-ups are used to create intimacy and tension with zooms into faces revealing cold, calculating eyes that convey evil intentions. Meanwhile, the editing is slow and methodical, with Hardy and his editor Uri Isreal using long takes and slow transitions to keep the audience questioning not only themselves but also the characters.
What Lies Under the Tree is a well-crafted psychological thriller with a suspenseful script. As a director, Hardy delivers a tightly knit 90 minutes, punctuating the film with excellent performances from a strong cast. Moments of tension and intelligence are complimented by his script which makes the audience ask important questions about morality while keeping them guessing until the very end. With this excellent effort, Hardy proves he is certainly one to watch.
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