Movie Review: ‘Tethered’

March 8, 2022

Written by Kelli Marchman McNeely

Kelli Marchman McNeely is the owner of HorrorFuel.com. She is an Executive Producer of "13 Slays Till Christmas" which is out on Digital and DVD and now streaming on Tubi. She has several other films in the works. Kelli is an animal lover and a true horror addict since the age of 9 when she saw Friday the 13th. Email: horrorfuelinfo@gmail.com

Director Daniel Robinette takes viewers deep into the woods in the monster movie Tethered, starring Alexandra Paul, Kareem Ferguson, Jared L. Cook, Brody Bett, and Chris Demm.

 

Warning some spoilers

 

The film sees a mother raising her young, blind son in an isolated cabin in the middle of the forest. Daily she takes him out and teaches him how to trap, how to fish, and how to live off the grid. After she tucks him one night when he’s about ten, she walks out, abandoning him to face life on his own. But before she goes she drills a series of rules into his head, including never letting go of the rope that he ties around his waist before venturing into the woods, and always sharing half his food with the forest. The film fast-forwards to see Solomon now a teenager struggling with life. But when he encounters a hunter, his life changes forever.

 

I’ll give the film this, the monster’s identity was a nice touch, but it was not explored well and the ending, well, it felt shallow and a bit random, I realize that it was purposely done to leave the mystery open, but it did not leave me impressed. It left me asking “Is that it?” It’s an aspect of the story that could have, should have, been explored. It was a waisted element in what was a slow film that didn’t have much action until 20 minutes from its end.

 

I hate to have to say this, but the acting was left lacking. The moments when Solomon is going through emotional conflict felt very fake and exaggerated. Overacting is problematic in Tethered. All of the performance came across as forced and the dialogue was weak at best.

 

As for the special effects, the film goes the route of “less is more”. Aside from some makeup, Solomon’s contacts, some sounds, and a few dead animals, there are no big special effects scenes, and I think that was a good choice. Not every horror film needs big special effects.

 

The story is something new, but it fails to grab you and pull you in. It feels shallow and it lacks heart and passion.

 

I feel compelled to remind you that this is the opinion of one writer. You may enjoy the film, you can find out soon, Tethered opens in theaters and lands On Demand on March 18, 2022from Gravitas Ventures.

 

Share This Article

You May Also Like…