Three years ago, the horror film You Don’t Run surprised audiences by offering more than just a typical teenage murder plot; it provided a layered exploration into the world of teenagers, all within the framework of the genre. Though David Robert Mitchell was already a recognized independent filmmaker overseas, he has now delivered an intriguing and difficult-to-categorize work in The Silver Lake Mystery. Despite some flaws, the film is an extraordinary spectacle.
In my previous review of You Don’t Escape, I suggested that Mitchell might benefit from collaborating with a more experienced screenwriter. Though he didn’t heed my advice (or likely even read it), I can’t fault him for it. The Silver Lake Mystery utilizes its storyline merely as a backdrop for exploring myriad ideas and pop culture references, something that Mitchell, a skilled indie filmmaker, clearly relishes.
At the center of the action is Andrew Garfield, who portrays an enigmatic character teetering between white trash and the disaffected millennial archetype. His life is in jeopardy, but he seems indifferent, choosing instead to observe his surroundings voyeuristically and find conspiratorial meanings in pop culture. Set in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood, situated beneath the iconic Hollywood sign, the locale becomes as much a character in the story as Garfield’s role. It’s a place where wealth and poverty, authenticity and artifice coexist, providing a rich backdrop for a narrative that blurs the lines between social drama and horror. Garfield’s quest to find a mysterious femme fatale, played by the captivating Riley Keough, serves merely as a vehicle to explore Mitchell’s complex artistic landscape—a blend of conspiracy theories, classic Hollywood nostalgia, and a commentary on life in the glare of LA fame.
It’s rare to encounter projects that successfully meld American independent sensibilities of the ’90s with surreal narrative darkness. Personally, I was drawn to the innovative blend of subverting and confirming stereotypes, and found myself engrossed in Mitchell’s unpredictable storytelling.
Watch Under The Silver Lake For Free On Gomovies.