Last night was the second time I watched this movie, and strangely I had a completely different viewing experience. The first time I felt
.
.
And last night I
.
.
Since I knew what was coming, instead of being weirded out over Joseph's over the top behavior, I was amused. Joseph really brought it. He was shameless in his performance, a master at emotional manipulation, and found the perfect victim in Aaron, who was a sweet, kind, considerate dude who really should have had a man bun to go with that caring and nurturing personality.
For Joseph to achieve his goal, he needed the right victim. He found that person in Aaron. I would expect, and correct me if I am wrong fellas, but had you accepted this job, and received the number of hugs and scares that came with it, you would have walked, or punched, after the second one. I counted at least 6 of each. Joseph was able to do this because he was hiding behind the story of being a cancer survivor and the victim of a brain tumour, and leaving behind an unborn child that he was making the movie for: Buddy. Most people with a heart would find this to be a thoughtful loving project, a beautiful gesture, and would have felt honored to be able to contribute. Likely they would cut a brain tumour victim some slack if he was behaving strangely. Joseph made of point of saying he was having cognitive issues, and dizzy spells. I certainly don't know how I would behave it that were happening to me, so I would probably focus on being accepting and non-judgmental. You would have to be a bit of a pillock not to.
It is possible our villain's real name was not Joseph... I wonder why he might have chosen it....
Although that is likely a
since when the sister called, she used that name.
There was a fair bit of use of the colour yellow in this movie. Especially at the start. Aaron's car was yellow, as was the door to the house, the soles of Joseph's shoes as he ran up the stairs, a yellow bottle inside the house. A quick google of the significance of the colour says:
Yellow is a color associated with sun. It symbolizes optimism, energy, joy, happiness and friendship. It might also stand for intellect. On the contrary, yellow can indicate jealousy, betrayal, illness and danger. It is strongly associated with food, often evoking cheerful feelings.
When advertising long-lasting goods, yellow will not be the best choice. It is a very unstable and spontaneous color. Men often consider it as “childish”, so any products such as cars, watches or smartphones should not be advertised with yellow. Too much of yellow in a design can be truly overwhelming. At the same time, yellow in a combination with black will create a high contrast and indicate possible danger.
So perhaps the use of the yellow car shows that Aaron is an innocent, the perfect mark for Joseph. It was certainly never combined with black to look tough!
That's for you
@Cubo de Sangre!
There was a fair amount of foreshadowing in the movie. I picked up on:
- the axe outside the house, and later in the cafe when Joseph asks: Was there a small part of you who thought you might kill you with it?
- When Aaron says: It might be smarter to wait in the car.
- When Joseph says: Better get used to those stairs. And: I hope you are up for it.
- All the scares, disguised by a playfulness we don't actually buy in to. In the woods after scaring him, Joseph says: You just had a near death experience. That is what it feels like when you’re going to die.
There were also clues that Joseph was lying from the start:
- His house wound up being a rental. I noticed how impersonal it was from the start. It looked generic. Joseph tried to get around his by saying he painted the bears with his dad. This was also meant to disarm Aaron.
- Int he cafe Joseph slips up by showing he did not know the menu. He overcame this by saying the menu had recently changed.
Joseph's physicality was very childlike in the movie. He had two speeds; slow and running. He controlled the tension and the mood with his movements, using them to keep Aaron off balance the entire time. They would be walking like two normal adults in the woods, and then he would take off running, leaving Aaron with no choice but to chase him or be lost.
The hugs play into this as well. When you are hugged against your will it really messes with your mind.
PSA - Know your hug-ee and when in doubt, don't do it!
You may not want the hug, but it feels rude to pull away, especially from a dying dude who is paying you a grand to make a movie for his unborn kid. By the time they get to the river, Aaron has developed an uncomfortable sense of familiarity with Joseph, and willingly plays with him in the water, laughs at the heart on the stone, and engages in a couple more hugs. It is that awkwardness that happens when you first develop a new relationship. It is over the top. You feel the potential and act in ways you normally wouldn't, because you are swayed by the other person's enthusiasm and desire.
A lot of Joseph's dialogue is also childlike in his choice of words and in his delivery. He comes across as disarming, and the opposite of dangerous. He is creepy, but he has a brain tumour. Who is Aaron to judge him? Joseph also uses flattery and consideration to win Aaron over. He pays him up front, so there is no appearance of shenanigans. This also puts Aaron in a position of debt. He has been paid, so he owes Jospeh his attention and focus.
- Oh my God. This is going to be a good day.
- You have a really nice kind face.
- Walk with me. Document me just how I am.
- This is no longer a business transaction. It is a partnership and this is a journey into the heart. And I’m glad you are coming with.
- Let's get some fresh air. Let me get you a jacket and make you a snack.
- Let's go cure some cancer.
- Heal those big ole tootsies.
Joseph has a way of taking completely inappropriate situations, and putting the onus of feeling weird on Aaron. The tub scene is a good example. Poor Aaron follows him into the bathroom as Joseph is disrobing for the tubby scene. This is completely out of line... but again, think brain tumour. Think baby who will never get to tubby with his dada.
Is this is ok? Were gonna get much deeper than this.
.
Joseph is so matter of fact, so transparent, that Aaron probably feels like a jerk for being so uncomfortable. To me this is master manipulation. Joseph then proceeds to control the tension in the scene from switching from goofy to serious as he speaks directly into the camera to his unborn son:
Welcome to your first tubby, Buddy. His behavior in the tub is so embarrassingly over the top, that it is hard to take him seriously, or to see him as a threat. Then he becomes melancholy, and says:
Can’t help thinking why wait…. I could just end it right now.
He slips under water. This humour is so dark. Even his face under the water is funny. The silence builds as does the nervousness Aaron is feeling. No one wants to film someone drowning on purpose. And then in an instant Joseph switches up the energy of the scene and makes Aaron doubt himself by saying:
It was the was supposed to be a joke. I have a weird sense of humor. Joseph is a master at
And this brings us to Peachfuzz
How do you take this guy seriously? How are you scared of him? Again he is being disarming and creepy. His story about his wife/sister, is straight up disturbing and uncomfortable, however. At this point the creepiness has been ratcheted up. It is this story that finally leads to action on Aaron's part. I was impressed that Aaron drugged him. Pity that it was only with Benadryl. He might have made it out of there had Angela not called.
Before this we have the shame sharing. That is also a way to control and manipulate another person. Get them to share a secret, that creates a bond, that makes them be willingly vulnerable.
You ever done anything you are really ashamed of? Mind telling me about it? Give me the camera. Take the focus off of me for a second. Handsome devil. Aaron's story is sad. Joseph uses his words to flatter and disarm, and then changes the tone of the scene by silently staring at this camera. After building the tension, he builds it even more by showing him the pictures he took of Aaron's arrival. This is the first truly creepy moment that Aaron should have heeded. However, before he can think too much about it, Joseph barrages him with another apology in response to why he did it:
I don’t know. I suppose I was nervous… if I got to know you before you got to know me, I'd be less scared. sorry. Would not have done it if I knew you then, like I know you now. I’m very ashamed and hope we can move past it. This nonsensical apology is followed by a 1000 yard stare where we actually get a glimpse of the real Joseph.
The scenes in the house resonated to me as a woman of the times I have been hit on when I just want to be left alone. Aaron agrees politely to one drink. He tries to leave, but is held back by his desire to not make a scene, his compassion, his niceness, and his natural inclination to put the other person's needs above his own. Like a pushy dude at a bar, Joseph has a ready response for every reason Aaron gives for wanting to leave, including appealing to his need for money.
I have an excess you have a need. It is simple. There is check in your boot. Gotcha. Means you need money. Cheers. Once again Aaron is in a position of need in regards to Joseph. Yet Joseph created this entire scenario. Aaron never asked for money, but because of the shoe trick, it feels like he did. Joseph makes it so that Aaron has to be rude in order to leave, and that does not appear to be in Aaron's nature. It is only the rape story and the missing keys that give Aaron sufficient motivation to drug Joseph.
Did I freak you out with my rape story? Joseph keeps turning the tables on Aaron. It is master level gaslighting.