10 Reasons You Should See 'They Look Like People' This Weekend

By Joel Wicklund in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 16, 2016 9:00PM

Micro-budgeted, DIY cinema seems to be everywhere these days, but just because anyone can now make a movie, it doesn't mean everyone should. Glum, navel-gazing themes, stylistic indifference, insufferable hipster characters...sometimes the fringe cinema scene can make you want to take refuge in whatever glossy crap is playing near the mall. As long as it's not Zoolander 2.

But there have also been daring, rewarding movies in the DIY realm recently, too. Case-in-point: They Look Like People, a truly original work that topped our list of the best films of 2015. It's playing for two nights only (Friday and Sunday) in the grassroots environs of Chicago Filmmakers, courtesy of The Chicago Cinema Society. If you're wondering if it's worth the effort to go see it (and get there early, as seating is limited), here are ten reasons you should drop everything and go.

1) It will introduce you to a fresh new voice in filmmaking.

Skilled new directors emerge regularly, but Perry Blackshear's first feature has the kind of invigorating effect that makes you sit forward in your seat and say to yourself, "Whoa...who is this guy, and where did he come from?" As writer, director, producer, cinematographer, editor, and nearly a one-man production crew, Blackshear leaves no doubt whose vision you are experiencing.

2) It will challenge your genre expectations.

The movie can be broadly described as a horror film, but it breaks free of all formulaic aspects. Blackshear has cited Donnie Darko as an influence, and like that cult favorite, They Look Like People puts human psychology front and center. A creepy vibe is central to the movie, but it's got more on the agenda than simply getting a jump out of you.

3) It will show you that necessity is the mother of stylistic invention.

The movie is not immune to the technical imperfections features with meager budgets sometimes suffer from, but even the rougher aesthetic edges work in a film trying to convey a splintered psychological state.

4) We're not the only ones crazy about this movie.

They Look Like People has garnered rave reviews from both the mainstream press (The Boston Globe) and fan mags (Fangoria). It also won major awards at film festivals, including Fantasia and Slamdance.

5) The lead actor could be a star on the rise.

All the performances in the movie are strong, but Evan Dumouchel stands out as an actor to watch. As the outwardly go-getting Christian, battling his own serious anxiety issues while also coming to terms with his friend's possible schizophrenia, Dumouchel seems completely natural and fully emotionally invested in every scene.

6) You missed it at CIFF.

The movie drew big crowds at the Chicago International Film Festival, and the responses we heard were almost universally positive. Now is your chance to see what all the buzz is about.

7) We don't know where it's going to pop up next.

The movie has secured a small distribution deal, with video-on-demand the main release venue, but details on when and where you can see it are still up in the air. Besides, a packed house at Chicago Filmmakers might encourage one of the city's other indie film venues to book it for a longer run.

8) You get to see a second movie at no additional charge!

The Chicago Cinema Society is presenting They Look Like People as part of a double-feature with another well-received independent film that reportedly stretches expectations of the horror genre: The Interior. A mere $9 gets you in to both movies.

9) The weather looks like it's going to cooperate.

This is Chicago, so we can't make any guarantees, but currently the forecast calls for pretty warm temperatures and reasonable conditions for February on both Friday and Sunday. So toss off the extra blankets and get out of the house and down to Andersonville for a few hours.

10) Did we mention it was our favorite film of 2015?

They Look Like People and The Interior play Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Chicago Filmmakers (5243 N. Clark Street).