From reported postproduction hell comes FROM THE INSIDE, the “lost masterpiece” (according to the cover of Yellow Ape Productions’ DVD) by indie filmmaker Jim Haggerty—and though describing it as a masterpiece might be a bit of a stretch, the movie’s pretty enjoyable as far as trashy thrillers go.

The story begins pleasantly enough, with Vincent (Dave Daniels) and his wife Tally (Amanda Ladd) enjoying an afternoon hanging out on the dock of their remote lakeside property. However, according to fat schlub Vincent, just because they’re “in the middle of nowhere,” as Tally puts it, doesn’t mean she can lay out with her top off; after all, there may be someone watching. Tally becomes annoyed and stomps off, but not before ol’ Vince tactfully accuses her of marrying him for his money to escape her white-trash social standing. Well, it turns out somebody actually is watching, in the persons of local yokels Carl (Stephen Alan Wilson) and Bill (Robert Lincourt), two evil backwoods brothers who laugh sinisterly as they discuss their plans for the evening.

Later that night, right before Vincent puts the moves on Tally, we mercifully hear a knock on the door. Sure enough, it’s Carl and Bill, who claim their car has broken down and they’re in need of a phone. Of course, they’re lying, and things soon escalate from there.

What starts off as a home-invasion flick quickly escalates into a pulpy crime thriller as the plot takes a series of twists and turns—some predictable, some not so much. Showing up along the way are bickering young couple Mark (Jae Mosc) and Ivy (Stacey Brook Schwartz), as well as Mitchell (Brian Haggerty), a hard-nosed cop who knows something stinks about the whole setup…and it’s not just the production values. All kidding aside, FROM THE INSIDE is a nice little piece of no-budget sleaze with likable turns by all involved. The best performances are give by Ladd, Lincourt and particularly Wilson, whose whiskey-swilling hayseed Carl comes off like a psychotic Danny Mcbride.

Haggerty knows how to tell a story, and his directing style recalls the late Don Dohler—which is by no means an insult. Like Dohler’s flicks, FROM THE INSIDE is a fun way to spend an hour and a half with your friends and a few cold ones. The only extra features on the disc are a few coming attractions, including one for Haggerty’s next opus, WHEN DEATH CALLS starring Suzi Lorraine.

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