Jethica (2022) IMDB Description: “When Jessica’s stalker surprises her in New Mexico, she must seek help from beyond the grave to get rid of him for good.”

Why I took it off the list: I knew very little about this movie before I decided to see it on a whim at the Americana Film Fest in Barcelona, apart from that it was a genre-defying indie curio produced on a super low budget. Intrigued by the off-kilter log line, and its strong reception at SXSW, I decided to check it out. So, let’s dig in!

Review of Jethica (2022)

Jethica is, at its core, a ghost story, but despite some supernatural elements, it’s about as far from a horror film as you can get. It definitely has its moments of creepiness and unease, especially early on in the story, as darkness descends on a wind-battered trailer in the middle of the New Mexico desert, and half-glimpsed figures stumble through the endless grassland outside.

Instead, it’s a mishmash of genres that include tense thriller, deadpan comedy, and poignant drama. Framed as an outlandish story retold as impromptu pillow talk, the film has a surreal, dreamlike quality that’s countered by the somewhat mundane presentation of the drama, lending it a unique feel that gives off serious Twin Peaks vibes.

The gist of the story is that two old friends who are both looking for an escape bump into each other and decide to spend some time living in the aforementioned trailer. However, they then discover that the past of the titular character has followed her to the getaway in an unexpected way, and the two level-headed girls have to figure out how to solve an unusual problem.

Mostly Expertly Balances Wildly Varying Tones

To say more about Jethica would spoil many of the surprising twists and turns of the narrative (I’d advise against watching the trailer, which pretty much gives away the whole plot). I’ll only reiterate that while the film may start with an unsettling tone, it soon turns into something more absurd, funny, and sad reminiscent of underrated gem Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006).

Much of the comedy in the film comes from the performers, who employ a deadpan acting style that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from characters in these situations. The actors all exude an understated relatability, that probably comes from the fact that they helped to co-develop the script.

While the film has its humorous moments, it’s also a thought-provoking exploration of human behavior that has a lot to say about obsession, guilt, and letting go. My only gripe is that, despite having a runtime that clocks in at just over an hour, Jethica can often feel longer as it relies a bit too heavily on long, slow takes and repetitive music cues.

It definitely won’t be for everyone. But if you can get on its wavelength, it’s a fascinating curio and a promising showcase for director Pete Ohs.

Final score: 7/10

Jethica (2022): Worth Watching?

Yes, although Jethica will turn some people off with its offbeat approach to its story and sometimes slow execution. However, many will find it to be a fascinating comedic thriller with a unique tone and atmosphere.

Jethica (2022)

Directed by Pete Ohs

Written by Andy Faulkner, Callie Hernandez, Will Madden, Pete Ohs, Ashley Denise Robinson

Cast: Callie Hernandez, Ashley Denise Robinson, Andy Faulkner, Will Madden