Todd is a thriller film directed by Aaron Warren. The plot follows the titular Todd (Hans Hernke), as we see his decent into becoming a budding madman/ killer, due to intense social isolation and abuse.
I appreciated this film not taking the easy road, they could have made a film that used all the evil kid, budding serial killer cliches for Todd and made him out to be an unsympathetic, obvious monster. However, instead the film explores the character further and takes a more nuanced approach to the discussion, showing that he has layers and that his situation has driven him to do what he does.
I thought the tense stalking sequences of the later film were also well done, too often is the term ‘on the edge of your seat’ used, but here I would describe a similar feeling. There is a lot of great suspense around how far will Todd go, when will he be caught. As such the cat and mouse game that escalates from it is very fun to watch.
Overall, the writing really helps to elevate this film beyond mediocrity and make it memorable and dare I say it, impactful?
Pros.
Layered writing
A lens towards society
A strong sense of tension
Cons.
The character’s other than Todd are all quite weak and poorly fleshed out
A few pacing issues
3/5
Another Millennial Reviewer 