Filmed like a play, Lo is an amazing movie that more people need to see.
I’ve always really enjoyed plays. Movies are great, but there is something about watching people act in person that provides a unique type of entertainment. Lo is a movie, but the entire thing is presented like a play. The sets all look handmade and tiny, with the edges of the “stage” encased in darkness. Much of the script and the acting feels like a play as well. Beyond mere aesthetics, the story is perfect for this format, and likely wouldn’t have worked quite as well had it been approached as a “traditional” film.
A young man named Justin has been terribly tormented: his quirky yet beautiful fiancee April has been whisked away to Hell, taken by a powerful demon. Utilizing a strange book left behind by April, Justin draws and casts a circle to invoke a demon named Lo. Using Lo as his lackey, Justin hopes to rescue April from the depths of the fiery place…but all is not so straightforward. First, Lo insists on showing Justin his memories; various interactions with April that cause him to question just what is really going on. Secondly, other creatures from the Pit join in tormenting Justin, asking him questions or attempting to make him break the circle and allow them to bring him harm. Except for some flashbacks (which are “projected” onto walls in the form of a low-budget play, complete with audience applause and reactions), the entire film takes place with Justin sitting in the circle he has drawn and cast.
Lo could easily have been a very dramatic, heart-wrenching, and at times terrifyingly scary film. Instead, it is done with a hefty dose of humor, and only the slightest dramatic overtones. Some scenes are outright funny, while others are more subdued in their humor…but every character utilizes a mostly humorous script. The Demon Lo itself (“Demons transcend gender”) is particularly funny yet horribly sadistic, coming across as a mix between Stewie from Family Guy and Satan from The Sandman series.
Despite the laughable low budget, the various creatures and demons that appear in Lo look fantastic. They are obviously still guys in suits, but holy crap do the suits look awesome. Seamless, lifelike, and extremely well done, the demons in this film (all real-world, “practical” effects, by the way) would look right at home in a big-budget horror film. Lo in particular has a fairly dramatic entrance, and the quality of Lo’s appearance defies the hokey low-budget book used by Justin.
While the picture quality is pretty good, and the aforementioned demon “suits” look unbelievably amazing, the sound quality is a bit lacking…Lo’s speaking volume seems to be either far too quiet or far too loud. Most if not all of the flashback sequences are much, much louder than the conversation scenes between Justin and the various demons, so you will want to make sure you keep your remote control close by. There is also a musical number that, although really imaginative and entertaining, goes on for a bit too long.
Overall, Lo is a wholly unique movie. It’s like a play being put on right inside your TV. Even though the ending won’t really surprise you at all, credit is due to the writer for not giving any obvious clues prior to it happening. On repeat viewings, you will notice that the hints are there…but they are extremely minor. Still, much like Shutter Island, even if you guess the ending long before it happens, it’s done in such a way that it still manages to be very entertaining.
Do yourself a favor and find a copy of this movie asap. If you have Netflix, you can instant stream it. Highly entertaining and unique!
