With Bad Impulse, Michelle Danner delivers an absolutely thrilling commentary on contemporary society’s obsession with technology that makes us question whether “we are no different than animals in the jungle in the jungle.” Exploring family dynamics, the analytical thriller horror elevates the vibrancy of the storyline by keeping every detail in the audience’s hand, but how do these characters act so unreasonably?
While Henry (Grant Bowler) is out at home, Lou Branch (Paul Sorvino) who is known for innovating private industry security systems pays him a visit. Lou makes a hopeful proposal to place a microchip anklet on Henry which would eliminate all single family dwelling security risks and in turn would safeguard Henry along with his family. However, Henry politely declines but not before things start to change once he does. After Henry’s unexpected lunch appointment with his employer, he finds out that he’s actually been fired, then proceeds to be accosted during a terrible break-in. After coming to his senses, Henry ultimately decides to have his entire family microchipped claiming he’s opting towards the IMP anklet system. Soon enough each individual’s behavior and attitude becomes drastically morse erratic and frighteningly imprudent.
That excessive, shadowy figure of Lou Branch lurking in the background proves one of the most sinister believes. Namely, that there is something quite unusual about the Sharpe family.
Every member of the family Sharpe follows a distinct arc of their own. Wherever they go, the chip seems to have broken something or another, and in the best of cases it’s a rather rash decision. Wherever Mike (Nicholas Danner) goes, the bullies at school beat him to a pulp, so the chip makes him go on a journey where he pulls himself together. Henry somnambulists himself after the application of the chip, and begins his downward spiral when he loses his job. Christine (Sonya Walger) is having an affair that she is trying to conceal from Henry and is getting crazier by the minute. Angela (Abbi Ford) gets stoned with her trashy best friend (“She bored, so she is.”) and attempts to hook up with the class’s unreachable pretty boy. Quickly things turn in a dark matter. I enjoyed the last minute revelation of Paul Sorvino’s character, and how his true intentions are immediately brought out with no need for explanation.
Michelle Danner, a female director, certainly has a soft spot for horror. On initial viewing, I found a few references that were surprising to say the least. The turning of a chair to reveal the presence of somebody else was quite brilliantly done, and it reminded me of Mother I saw in Psycho, the 60’s Hitchcock.
Danner demonstrates sharp attention to detail. It is always good to know that someone out there knows how to pay adequate attention to the details in horror films.
The film combines mystery and the modern concept of a truly dysfunctional family. It is an effortlessly intriguing concept. It really makes you wonder is such phenomena can even be possible in the real world.
Jason Chase Tyrrell’s astute writing makes Bad Impulse a delightful treat that you won’t want to put down. Take your sanity and throw it out the window, because Bad Impulse defines psychological horror in a completely new light. The clever and interesting commentary about technology, paired with the horror that the film novel induces, refuses to let the viewer ever write the film off.
Most streaming services now display Bad Impulse. So go and indulge in your fantasies. Have some fun.
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