Review // Numb

Jason R Goode’s feature debut Numb is a suspenseful treasure hunt set in the cold Canadian wilderness. Dawn (Stefanie von Pfetten) and Will (Jamie Bamber) are a couple down on their luck, Will’s out of a job and the bank is foreclosing on their home. The pair are desperate for a chance to change their circumstances and they find it after picking up a few hitchhikers, siblings Lee (Aleks Paunovic) and Cheryl (Marie Avgeropoulos) who are looking to restart their lives in a new city. On their way to Vancouver, the quartet encounter another man wandering the blistering cold highway. Despite rescuing him, he dies of hypothermia in the car. Soon they discover that the stranger was looking for a hidden treasure of gold medallions and decide to pick up where he left off, putting into motion a high stakes quest that tests their loyalties and humanity.

Written by Andre Harden Numb offers a parable of the dangers of trying to solve life’s problems with a golden ticket. Four people all looking for a fresh start, put everything on the line on a goose chase that might cost them everything they hold dear. Beautifully captured, with some truly inspired cinematography, D.O.P Jan Kiesser transformed the desolate winter mountain side into a menacing antagonist. The photography and make-up are outstanding, resulting in a production that will bring a chill to the warmest of theatres. The drawback is the slow burn thriller, saturated with suspenseful music even at dull moments, progresses at a snail’s pace ending with a juvenile twist. Nevertheless, Numb is a worthwhile watch, if you can handle the cold.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.

Numb is playing in Landmark theatres across Canada on March 2^nd as part of the Canadian Indie Film Series. On March 4^th it will begin its theatrical run in select Toronto, New Westminster, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Whitby, Ottawa/Kanata and Winnipeg theatres.