By Terry Sherwood
The mystery of an addicted sibling forms the basis for this found footage film James Ersted directed and co-written work What Happened to Suzy?
The main story centres on a locksmith, Andy (Dylan Nunez), who, with the help of a documentary film crew, investigates the mysterious disappearance of his sister. Andy gets deeper and deeper into a mystery of human trafficking, and conspiracy with major authorities such as the Police.
What Happened to Suzy is a slow-building mystery with a story, co-written by Ersted with David R. Larson, that features good use of found footage, a PC desktop that comes to life and some interesting characters. The director primarily worked in short films, and it shows with a story that has literally no “beats’ to it for a mystery.
Actors that love the sound of their voice yet say nothing and a plot so slow in unfolding you don’t care. A story of this nature needs hooks, red herrings, and moments of doubt to proceed along which this film has zero. Get lots of talking, lots of people talking film theory as a documentary is made, but the diamond point of the story is missing.
It is a shame because you have good people Dylan Nunez is largely out front., he’s supported by a talented ensemble cast that includes a Ari Hader as Al, the gifted Paul Parducci as Don, Betsy Baker Pretty production design and flow but by the sixty-minute mark you are going my goodness find this girl.
What Happened to Suzy is a promising debut along the lines of The Vanishing (1988) in which a loved one mysteriously vanishes in a moment, sending people searching. It does explore the effects of missing people alluding to the destruction of Andy’s family and taking his child’s hood. Great ideas never explored.
After that teaser the film crumbles into talking, needless dialogue about film making and frankly some poor choices in story direction.
Bloody Flicks 