Horror Movie Review: Compression (2024)

Directed by Jakob Bilinski, who co-wrote it with Peter Matsoukas, Compression is a surreal psychological horror and dark drama film that stars Emily Durchholz, Kevin Roach, and Michele Rose. One that requires some patience and a willingness to be open-minded, but pays all of that off in super satisfying fashion. Simply put, this is a fabulous experience and one that everyone should consider having.

An experience that stays with you long afterwards as the character of Hazel (Emily Durchholz) is likable and relatable. Being a successful true crime podcaster who also happens to suffer from severe agoraphobia. Something that is seemingly related to being attacked at some point, as shown in dream-like fashion in the opening of the film.

Without giving too much away, the film spends time setting up who she is and what she does, her fractured relationships (her sister, agent and fans), her mistrust of others, loss that she has suffered, and her desperation to find a way back from the cliff edge she finds herself on. This is where patience is needed as all of this makes up the first third of the film.

It is so important though as not only does it ensure the viewer has much more investment in what Hazel has gone through, but it helps ground the film in a form of reality. Needed as what follows is a whole lot more surreal. Prompted by Hazel (having been forced to take time off) deciding to dump an entire bag of magic mushrooms on her pizza. A bad idea at the best of times, but an even worse idea when you’re dealing with so many psychological problems.

Hazel has a lot of demons and her night is going to be all about facing them. Something that we, the viewer, experience in an almost magical way. Yes, this is a ‘trip gone bad’ film, but there’s a deeper story being told here about trauma and how it can define the rest of your life, if you let it. This is the stuff that makes Compression such an outstanding watch, and the lack of egregious attempts to make her drug-induced experience all about scares makes it work.

Sure, this does mean as a horror film, Compression misses the mark, but only if you’re looking for outright scares, blood, and guts. It has tons of tension, tons of uncomfortable moments, and tons of dark intensity layered throughout. All enhanced by a thick level of emotion that seems to get more and more powerful as it goes on, as the story plays out and the entire truth around Hazel is revealed.

Goodness, she is a fabulous character, and Emily Durchholz is fantastic in the role. Embodying the trauma, delivering the heft needed to ensure the emotional points hit, but also showcasing the strength that exists in this woman. She is so easy to root for, and that’s testament to both the writing and the acting. Although there isn’t a single character who is written poorly or a single actor who doesn’t nail their role.

All elements that help make Compression a memorable experience, but what makes it an unforgettable experience is a combination of stunning visuals, unreal colours and lighting, and an impactful score. The latter, coming from CJ Johnson, is so good that you’ll want to buy it on record just so you can listen to it over and over again.

Compression is an outstanding film, provided you can accept that it’s not a conventional horror film. Instead, what it offers is far more psychological and based in dark drama. Yet, it is has an inordinate amount of impact and is one of the best modern examples of so much talent coming together to create something special.