Panic Fest audiences were treated to the feature-film debut of writer and director Zeshaan Younus, The Buildout*. This unexpected dramatic horror film follows two friends as they venture out into the California desert. Meant to be a journey of bonding and healing, things take a turn when they encounter something strange.

What makes The Buildout such a compelling film is that every viewer will likely have a different interpretation of what’s on screen. Certain themes are quite apparent. The driving force behind the two friends is their grief and trauma. It’s fascinating to see the different ways these two individuals deal with the loss of someone so close to them. Their grief ebbs and flows; one friend tries to be a better support system, while the other turns to religion. When it comes to the religious aspects, it seems to convey a harsh look at cults and how they target those who are suffering and vulnerable. While there is certainly power in thought and manifestation, as demonstrated in The Buildout, this film seems to point out the ways religions can often misinterpret unexplained phenomena. In this case, that misinterpretation leads to dire consequences.

This level of esoteric, cerebral storytelling will likely polarize audiences. The Buildout is a slow burn, allowing the audience to really connect with the characters and have a keen understanding of them before they are faced with a sinister force. There are only hints at what this force could be, leaving much up to the viewer to decide. Some might wish there was a more clear answer, but that fear and lack of understanding is a vital aspect of what makes The Buildout such a haunting film. It’s also a film that will surely benefit from multiple watches, allowing viewers to notice new details with every watch that could change or strengthen their interpretation of events.

With such a character driven plot, one of the strongest aspects of The Buildout is the performances. Hannah Alline (Mayfair Witches, Doom Patrol) stars as Dylan. After issues with substance abuse and the loss of her best friend, Dylan turned to a religious cult to get clean and process her grief. Alline delivers a brilliantly layered performance that shows the blindness of faith, while also giving Dylan a mysterious edge, making viewers wonder what her true intentions are. Jenna Kanell (Terrifier, Renfield) plays Cameron. The friend Dylan lost was also Cameron’s big sister. What is great about Kanell’s performance is they seem to only be there to help Dylan, trying to support their sister’s best friend and perhaps feel closer to that lost sibling. Cameron is the skeptic and provides a sense of grounding, as the other characters in the film are all members of the cult. Kanell gets an extra shoutout for performing all their own motorcycle stunts. Both Alline and Kanell are magnetic on screen, having fantastic chemistry that makes it feel like they’re truly childhood friends who have experienced trauma together.

Bringing this story to life are breathtaking sights and sounds. The Buildout takes place in a remote desert landscape, almost giving the feeling of being in another world. The desolate yet beautiful scenery provides a great setting for the film and allows for some absolutely stunning cinematography by Justin Moore, also making his feature-film debut. Younus takes a unique approach to the filming style by having more traditional narrative shots intercut with found-footage. Throughout the film the protagonists record themselves in a sort of video diary of their adventure, giving audiences an intimate glimpse into their journey as well as their friendship. The horror elements are simple yet effective, incorporating shadows, blurred figures, mysterious formations in the desert, and incredibly unsettling drawings eluding to the awaiting terrors. Tying everything together and progressing the plot forward is a brilliant score by Jack Bartman (The House), as well as a great soundtrack.

The Buildout is a sun-scorched examination of grief and the mysteries of the unknown. Younus crafted a film that makes the audience put in some mental work, challenging their perception of the world, but many will find the journey worthwhile. It’s a visually striking film that expands the mind through the sights, sounds, and story. Alline and Kanell are forces of nature, delivering dynamic, authentic, and captivating performances from start to finish. I highly recommend experiencing The Buildout first-hand, as at the very least, it will lead to some fascinating conversations. Fans of the strange and the unknown will want to keep an eye out for what Younus does in the future.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

*Please Note: I did contribute to the crowdfunding campaign for The Buildout, but it in no way impacted my review of the film.