By Paul Mount
If Hollywood has taught us anything over the years, it’s that it’s probably not a good idea to go on a road trip across the dusty, deserted terrain of middle America because it’s almost bound to end in tears. The Fearway is a surprisingly accomplished and enjoyable spin on a familiar tale, combining elements of Spielberg’s Duel with the likes of Jeepers Creepers and Dead End.
Sarah (Shannon Dalonzo) and Michael (Justin Gordon) are travelling to visit Sarah’s ailing father when they are suddenly tailgated by a black limousine. They pull in at a convenient rest stop before continuing their journey but their pursuer returns and they somehow find themselves back at the rest stop and attracting the attention of its oily, creepy manager (Simon Phillips) who is keen for them to spend the night at the rest stop. They set off again but they can’t escape either their vindictive pursuer or their ultimate destination.
Running for just 80 minutes, The Fearway delivers plenty of mystery and intrigue across a slightly uneven script. Initial scenes between Sarah and Michael in the car strive to establish their bantering relationship but quickly become irritating. However, the film perks up when the strange fanged creature following the couple – he’s not a vampire, by the way – starts interfering with their destiny in ways they can’t begin to imagine. The resolution is quite clever if a little under-developed, the cinematography is superb for a low budget feature and the film works to create a sense of tension and unease rather than full-blooded horror (there’s nothing gory or unpleasant here). We still wouldn’t recommend a road trip across dusty America, but The Fearway is certainly worth hitching a ride with.
The Fearway is out now on digital platforms.
