Inspiration may be Jason Armstrong’s first feature-length movie in seven years, but he’s been a consistent storyteller.  Just this Summer, Armstrong (along with frequent collaborator Mike Klassen) made 9 Days with Cambria, a moderately successful web series confronting abuse through short stories performed by different actresses portraying the same character.

Armstrong has carried over Cambria’s tranquility (and music-driven montages) into Inspiration along with a similar style of natural performances.  Leading lady Emily Alatalo (one of the Cambria’s) also reunites with the writer/director for this horror/thriller.  She’s very good alongside a “who’s who” ensemble of Canadian indie horror cameos.

Unfortunately, Inspiration is in need of a tempo adjustment.  Much of Inspiration plays like a cinematic run-on sentence.  From scenes featuring characters spouting off exposition or verbalizing their characterization to intense chases involving a freaky masked slayer, everything never quite heats up to more than a tepid simmer.  This means movie goers are either patiently waiting for something to happen, questioning the importance of what they’re watching, or ill-prepared for a burst of fear.  The last example is what viewers are usually wanting from a horror/thriller, but Armstrong undercuts his tension with unripened deadpan jump scares.

Imagine if comedian Steven Wright was telling you the hook-man campfire story.  The combo could’ve worked for intentional comedic effect, but for Inspiration’s dramatic horror, the pieces don’t quite sync up.

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Inspiration screens at the Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival on: 

Sunday, November 27 at 4:30 p.m. @ Toronto’s Cineplex Yonge and Dundas

For more information on the festival, visit the official BITS webpage here.

Buy tickets here.

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The Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival: @BITSFilmFest
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