Since the 1920s, shortwave radio has fascinated both listeners and broadcasters with the power to wirelessly communicate over long distances long before the age of the internet. It comes as no surprise that several mysteries are contained within these international frequencies. Be it the infamous Russian number stations or rogue signals, there’s still much we don’t know about this nearly hundred-year-old technology. Ryan Gregory Phillips’s new sci-fi/horror film, aptly titled Shortwave, is a dramatic exploration of how the human psyche deals with loss and the unknown in the form of these elusive and potentially deadly signals.
Starring Juanita Ringeling and Cristobal Tapia Montt as Isabel and Josh, a troubled young couple dealing with the recent loss of their only child, Shortwave chronicles the pair’s descent into horror and madness as Isabel begins to tap into the otherworldly signals that Josh has been studying for years. As hallucinations and apparent psychotic episodes begin to plague their home life, the couple begins to suspect that they may have made contact with a sinister force best left undisturbed.
The plot seems like it could have been ripped straight out of a Lovecraft yarn, which is one of the film’s greatest merits. There is a subtle Stuard Gordon influence here, and the movie shares some similarities with the underrated Banshee Chapter, but Shortwave is a different kind of story altogether. This film focuses more on emotional resonance and relationships rather than the actual horror behind the signals, using them more as an allegory for hidden fears and anxieties instead of direct threats to the main characters.
Ringeling and Montt make a convincing couple, with enough tension just below the surface that the viewer can slowly piece together the finer details of their relationship. The script does offer a bit more range to Juanita, especially towards the end, which makes sense considering that we’re watching the film mostly from her point of view. The supporting cast is also serviceable, but it’s made abundantly clear that this is Josh and Isabel’s movie, with other characters only contributing to their personal struggles.
Sadly, the film has a tendency to devolve into what can only be described as cheesy “indie musical moments”, where the same melancholy song will play over cheerful visuals, intercut with the rest of the movie in a manipulative attempt to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. Though they’re not frequent or even bad enough to entirely ruin the experience, these intrusive scenes serve no real purpose, as the rest of the film does a remarkably good job in establishing mood and motivations.
Despite these “indie film” shortcomings, Shortwave is still a unique take on some classic horror/sci-fi tropes, with a commendable focus on character development and interaction over spectacle and gore. The ending and unnecessary melancholy flashbacks might leave something to be desired, but the clever script, competent cast and Phillip’s directing more than makeup for these minor setbacks. It might not be a totally horrific scare-fest, but Shortwave is certainly worth a watch, though you might feel slightly uneasy around radio static afterward.
Ryan Gregory Phillips’ Shortwave will unleash something sinister at its World Premiere at the upcoming Dances with Films on Saturday, June 4th, 2016 @ 9:30PM at the TCL Chinese Theatres (6925 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood, CA 90028; get tickets here).
