The Strange Thing About the Johnsons

The poster, like the film itself, is artfully composed as it hints at the dark turn of events to expect from this horrifically wonderful piece of filmmaking.

If this is what it takes to be the best writer director in the industry, so be it. Ari Asters's short film shatters all competition as the most twisted family-oriented mind alive today. His subject matter here is lurid and shows a beginning to a family dynamic we have never seen portrayed in any media anywhere until now. The guy is a master at creating situations that are completely melodramatic but they don't come off as such.

The actors play it straight and not for laughs- they're entirely bought into concept plausibly happening and have shown what real people would probably do in this situation. The father's performance is an outstanding piece of work. His victimization hits you with the shock this story deserves.

After the first sex scene in the grad party, Aster withholds any more sexual encounters between the father and son like a pressure cooker. When he's ready to release that tension, however, he releases it with dynamite. The absolute worst (or best, depending on how you look at it) case scenario to do that with is your dad comitting an accidental suicide as he tries to escape the sexually assaulting arms of your own son. What a completely stomach churning idea made so by the impeccable craft behind the camera and horrifically believable performances of its lead actors.There are shots that play with composition, that play with angular lighting, it's beautiful to watch.

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