There’s an eeriness that permeates Ryan J. Sloan’s feature film debut, and it’s enough to send chills down your spine. This tangible sensation makes Gazer‘s darkly emotive storytelling and overall aesthetic such a captivating watch. Making its World Premiere in Directors’ Fortnight at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Gazer is a neo-noir for modern times.

A Seedy Neo-Noir Full of Suspicion and Conspiracies

Set against an unforgivingly bleak cityscape, Gazer is the story of a young mother Frankie Rhodes (co-writer Ariella Mastroianni) who finds herself trapped in a dangerous transaction. Frankie suffers from a unique condition that affects her perception of time, which proves to be a hindrance in her quest for normalcy. Frankie’s condition progresses with age, and she is doing everything she can in the present to prepare for the future, specifically saving money for her young daughter. To keep her life in order, and somewhat functional, Frankie relies on a tape recorder that constantly plays self-narrated tapes of her various memories.

Watch the Gazer trailer here.

One evening, a desperate yet determined Frankie accepts a shady job from a mysterious woman with a dark past. Little does she know that by accepting this questionable opportunity, which promises to pay her $3,000 cash, she will inadvertently get caught up in a murder plot full of conspiracies that put both her and her daughter’s futures at stake.

An Unapologetically Bold and Beautiful Indie Film

In addition to the film’s cerebral and layered storyline, Gazer excels at creating a moody ambiance. It is masterfully shot on 16mm by cinematographer Matheus Bastos. His capturing of surreal moments, specifically a dream sequence between Frankie and her husband, stopped me in my tracks. In this scene, Frankie and her husband mirror each other’s movements in uncanny unison, giving incredible performances. The hauntingly melodic score, which is fantastically crafted by composer Steve Matthew Carter, further propels the film.

Takeaway

If you’re a fan of Memento or Severance, you will find a lot of tonal crossovers in Gazer. Ryan J. Sloan’s impressive directorial debut is even more commendable by its production capabilities. Per the film’s press notes, Gazer was “shot on a shoestring budget over weekends” for two years. In front of and behind the lens, Gazer is an exciting thriller that proves independent film is alive and well.