Fantasia '18 Film Review - Rondo

Paul (Luke Sorge) has been dishonourably discharged from the military with a case of PSTD. He is couch surfing at his sister Jill's (Brenna Otts)  home spending most of his time drinking hard alcohol. Jill gets tired of his act and sends him to a therapist Cassie (Gena Shaw) who diagnosis is that Paul needs to  expand his sex life giving him the instructions to attend a Rondo party. Paul takes the advice ending up in a 12th floor condo with two other guys that will each take their turns on an old man's young drugged up bride. Before his turn, Paul goes out on the balcony to see the guy that went before him get killed in the bedroom. In shock, Paul manages to escape but the organizers of the party have his address.

The tagline for the film describes it as an extreme horror thriller. The poster features a glass of whiskey with bullets and blood splashing into the glass. The second part of the piece does evolve into a revenge thriller cumulating with an epic confrontation at the scene of the crime.

Director Drew Barnhardt sights Alfred Hitchcock and Brian DePalma as his influences for the project. The Brian DePalma nod is very evident in one scene towards the end of the film where there's a shot of characters on multiple balconies along with one coming to the Apartment complex at street level. The Music from Ryan Franks and Scott Nickoley helps to build tension during the film but in some sections goes to the level or being repetitive or is cranked to a volume that is distracting from the action on the screen.

Reggie De Morton leads the Rondo party organizers as Lurdell. He gives out the instructions for the event in a slow distinct manner also acting as head cleaner when loose ends need tying off. Ketrick Copeland is the muscle as DeShawn. Copeland plays him towards the dimwitted side that has a large payoff in the final melee. Gina Shaw is memorable as the very pregnant therapist Cassie. She gives Jill her card that leads to an appointment with Paul setting the wheels of the films key events in motion.

Rondo is a twisted take on a sex party gone bad. There are rules, the participants meet for the first time then things get out of control once the clothes come off and the sex begins. The film will find an audience of those with an appetite for the extreme, gunplay and ritual sex. Despite its hash content there are several comedic moments that serve to round out the production.

** 1/2 Out of 4.

Rondo | Drew Barnhardt | USA | 2018 | 90 Minutes.

Tags: PSTD, Automatic Weapon, Bullets, Pregnancy, Sex Party, Password, Plastic.