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Joshua Sowden’s Extramundane is a cosmic horror film thriller that is eerie in an inconspicuous way, placed in a multi-story apartment building. With the help of Bobby and Jasmine, two of the more colorful tenants, and the creepy handyman nicknamed Jerry, Trevor learns the truth behind the spine chilling secrets of the building that leave both him and the viewer in shock. Trevor, accurately played by Brant Rotnem, is a condo property manager who’s recently been hired and is eager to learn about the building and its many tenants. However, the Coronavirus makes him reevaluate his plans to unlearn the building. To Trevor’s dismay, things only get peculiar from here on out.
The building screams horror with the missing pieces, just like the word Extramundane describes, this term refers to Outside or beyond the physical realm. Sowden’s work has a distinct tone and genre that is very telling of how he feels about humanity, where everyone and everything seems off for no reason. Watching these spectacles unfold is cumulative in a strange presentation that does provoke wonder. His attention was truly divided, as Auch, the director of his photography, sent the muted tones of the presented strange occurrences which make the audience take comfort in thinking they are contained within a black box. The strangeness is accented when he and the viewers remain in silence.
In this segment of Extramundane, you can tell how sound design impacts atmosphere. Moreover, what truly sets this game apart is the remarkable way it has been designed and produced. Bobby’s avoidance of the garage suggests that he finds the sound of torment somewhere, but not so loud that it’s all encompassing. This is tremendously smart design. It is quite literally proof of the skill possessed by the designers, showing that even with a small budget studio, decent work is attainable with persistence, passion, and effort.
Rotnem plays the put-upon everyman well, as he’s charming and likeable from the jump. Jones is really fun as Bobby, he brings a particular energy to his sequences that make them truly alive. Gellis is intimidating like the socially awkward Jerry. The non-answers to the questions asked of him along with his blank stare fuel the suspense. Along with him, rice sells the horror and mystery fairly well while bringing life to a character defined by her surroundings.
For the 94 minutes of Extramundane, Sowden tries his hardest to keep audiences at the edge of their seats. It all comes together because of the thoughtful twists and compelling characters. The way the world is shot remains dirty, which matches the narrative and its environment splendidly. The actors add depth to their performances and keep a creepy air of mystery around them that is disquieting. Combined with the right kind of sound design, audiences are presented with an entirely unsettling mystery that is superbly involving.
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