IFC Midnight presents the new film, One & Two. This begs the question: how, exactly, is this low fantasy a “midnight movie”? Having seen the film myself, this writer honestly couldn’t tell you. It is, for the vast majority of its runtime, more subdued and laconic than a film you picture in your head when you hear “midnight movie”. If there’s anywhere out there indeed programming this at the stroke of 12, it might behoove them to offer the audiences free caffeine.
That aside, the debut feature from Andrew Droz Palermo is not without merit; it’s just more of a late afternoon movie. The story centers on two siblings, Zac and Eva (played by Timothee Chalamet and Mad Men’s Kiernan Shipka), who live in a secluded area and have the ability to teleport anywhere in sight – not unlike Nightcrawler from X-Men 2, if you follow. This has ramifications in their family life, as it is a source of superstition for their father (Grant Bowler), who takes care of the ailing matriarch of the family (Elizabeth Reaser).
The movie has neither the suspense nor spook that could have elevated the dark fairy tale vibe Palermo brings
One & Two is impeccably shot, for one thing. The pastoral setting of the film lends itself to moments of eerie beauty as we see Zac and Eva teleport around their scenic home. At one point they lay on grass and watch an aircraft trail in the sky – it’s no secret that there’s more out there than what they know, unlike in a certain M. Night film. Comparisons could also be drawn to the recent documentary The Wolfpack in that both are films featuring overly sheltered individuals who are aching to be.
The actors here are capable as well. Though the brother-sister chemistry is never particularly convincing, Kiernan Shipka is the stand out as she delivers a committed performance. Eventually her character finds the outside world, and the actress sells the bewilderment and disenfranchisement she feels as a result of her refugee life. “You look just like my daughter does when the TV’s on,” a bystander recalls as Eva observes a folky street performer for the first time. At one point, someone is corrected that her name sounds more like “Ava”, but the cast listing officially states her character is indeed “Eva”. I wouldn’t want to make anyone in this movie angry.
While One & Two has an illusive air to it, especially when we learn more about the capabilities of Zack and Ava, the movie has neither the suspense nor spook that could have elevated the dark fairy tale vibe Palermo brings. It’s flat when it should be thrilling and insipid instead of truly mystifying. But One & Two is a film that may resonate with certain other audiences; I’m thinking siblings of dysfunctional families, young people looking to escape from small towns, people such as those. Maybe this is a movie for them.
One & Two is available on demand this Friday with a Los Angeles theatrical release on August 21st.
