Glen (Vincent Kartheiser) gets a pair of flat tires in a heavy rainstorm and arrives at the doorstep of Art (Bob Stephenson) and Cyndi (Chelsea Lopez). Art not only invites him to stay as the rescue service wouldn’t be able to get there until the following day, but he insists he sleeps with Cyndi. As Art plies him with drink, Glen’s grip on the situation becomes squiffy. Sometime later, Art turns up at his house and tells him Cyndi is pregnant. He then finds himself in a research institute, confined to a wheelchair and made to go through past conversations he’s had with Shannon (Breeda Wool).
Director Rob Schroeder and writer Conor Stechschulte have concocted a mind-melting twist-laden gem of a film. As more story unravels and things slot into place, another curveball comes to knock you off guard. Full of false memories and flashes of clarity, Ultrasound is a meticulously plotted film in which all the elements come into play wonderfully. Cinematography, score, and performances are spot-on. Each plays its part in manipulating us, the audience, and the characters on screen.
Some might figure out the film’s secrets earlier than others, but rest assured, a few rug-pulls are still to come. Schroeder’s feature debut is an assured and entertaining puzzle that has cult classic written all over it. It comes highly recommended to fans of Christopher Nolan’s work like Memento; the story’s intricacies are beautifully revealed but without the smug delivery.
Ultrasound is available on digital outlets from June 20th.
