Horror movie buffs listen in, romance movie buffs listen in, indie movie buffs listen in, Basically anyone who wants to experience a genre defying movie, a movie that gives new meaning to a cinema experience, definitely do listen in, Because Spring is all that and much more. Spring will leave you happy, Spring will leave you thrilled but most of all Spring will leave you wondering why it wasn’t made before.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, horror is a genre that’s losing its value, where cheap thrills reign financially successful and supreme over horror that truly creeps you out and leaves you craving for more from the richly beautiful genre. Romance has been another genre that has been seeing the bad end lately with cliché ridden movies that earn in millions and offer nothing new but fresh faces in roles we’ve seen countless times before. Indie movies? Well they seem to be holding up the quality in most genres bring rich, honest and colourful storytelling that most mainstream audiences miss out on or sometimes don’t have the patience to see unfold (oh yes there are those out there who judge in quantity and not quality, basically very hard to convince. I’ve tried, but for the most part I’ve had success). 

Enter Spring, a movie that draws from the horror and the supernatural, builds on the romance and ties together a wonderful indie film that speaks volumes. A true beautiful experience. Watch out for any future projects from those involved with Spring because this we need. Spring starts off with Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci) who having just lost his mother to a long battle with cancer, desperately needs and out in life, an escape, a hall pass to run away, reach out, and embrace living. Leaving to Italy to do so. He finds a room for work, and he meets the beautiful, mysterious and enigmatic Louise (Nadia Hilker). The two, embark on a little romance, where casual strolling, sex, wine drinking, eating and honest talking round up their little adventure. In an attempt to be mostly spoiler free without ruining the movie I shall say that Louise harbours a dark secret which is where the horror kicks in.

A wonderful tale directed by both Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead with the credit for writing this piece going to Benson. The writing is beautiful and feels so effortlessly comfortable. Especially the dialogues seeming fresh, and oh so honest, never forced or out of place. The pacing quite in sync. Delivering the necessary to the audience at exactly the right time while maintaining, its elements beautifully. The design and music absolutely relevant. The score lifts and brightens each scene. The pale colour palate used throughout just elevate the effect drawn within the entire movie. Everything seems to compliment the other. It reminds me to an extent of 2008’s Swedish movie “Let the Right One In” which later had an English remake starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Kody Smit-Mcphee titled “Let Me In.” though Spring still pushing its genre boundaries even further than them.

Another aspect of Spring that truly brings it all together are the performances by Lou Taylor Pucci and Nadia Hilker, with amazing chemistry and performances so honest they truly do elevate it. Had the chemistry gone the movie would have lost an important footing. But thankfully that’s not the case.

With a beautiful and incredibly interesting mythology showcased and a movie this good, Spring is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Spring deals with many elements of life, death and overall living without feeling cliché and overdone. It holds up, strong. So do me a favour and don’t pass on an opportunity to see this. I’d totally recommend some red wine to go along.

Reviewed by Aasif Faiz