With modern cameras and editing programs at historically low pricing, the question has floated through the entertainment industry. Can anyone make a movie now? Budgets ranging from a thousand to fifteen thousand dollars to make an independent film has everyone with a hope and a dream in the horror market trying to be the next Wes Craven. While the indie world has given artist’ a chance to put out their work to the world, the vast majority of low budget new wave horror is at times unbearable to watch. “2Jennifer” is a beacon of light in the blizzard of low budget productions.
Spencer (Hunter Johnson) is off to Los Angeles to partner with his old friend and co-producer Mack (David Coupe.) Spencer has allegedly landed the director’s job for the sequel to the cult hit “to Jennifer.” As pre-production starts, Mack starts to question Spencer’s erratic behavior. From demanding the lead role be portrayed by an actress with the legal name Jennifer to consistently not letting Mack get in touch with the film’s backers. Once the lead is cast and all seems on the level, Spencer’s dark agenda begins to unravel. A mad sprint to a fatal finale ensues and everyone involved both knowingly and unknowingly becomes part of the splatter sequel.
Hunter Johnson should be named the Orson Welles of indie horror for his direction, acting, and written plot sequences. Perhaps most of the film was improv based but both leads Johnson and Coupe capture the intensity of low budget filmmaking. The pace of the film, well, the pace of the film is perfection personified. Johnson’s portrayal of Spencer starts off slow and through the work spirals into maniacal mayhem. The bit parts from the rest of the cast are effective and flow with the plot well. One of the great things of watching this film first from the Jennifer series (to jennifer, 2 Jennifer, From Jennifer, For Jennifer) is the mystic behind the original film. Not seeing the original adds to the intensity of an already sadistic satire. Was “to jennifer” a real film and is this really happening is something the viewer will be questioning from the jump. If there is any flaw to this fantastic flick, the b-roll sound during Spencer’s night stalks would have played better in dead silence and take away from the appreciation of the film being shot on an iPhone. If you think that the great performances and intensity of the story was not enough. There is a great cameo from “Sleepaway Camp” legend Felissa Rose, which is not just a bit of hysterical fun, but serves as a prelude to a sensation ending. Returning to the question, can anyone make a film these days? Yes, but can they make a great film? “2Jennifer” gives a resounding answer to that. Yes, you can make a great film on a small or non-existent budget, but you will need someone with unparalleled passion and talent at the helm. Johnson has both in spades. If Federico Fellini had to shoot a film on an iPhone, “2 Jennifer” would be that film.
Scream Score: 9/10