The horror film genre is something that cannot satisfy every viewer. Some expect gory scenes while some expect something like “The Others”. Defiant, as a production studio, brought two titles to the SXSW Film Festival. When I saw “Witch Hunt”, I quite enjoyed it. But after watching “Offseason”, you can tell that Defiant is most definitely on the right track.

Marie Aldrich (Jocelin Donahue) receives a strange letter asking urgent attendance on a small island after the grave of her late mother, Ava (Melora Walters), is vandalized. Determined to solve the matter within one day, the woman travels with George (Joe Swanberg). Upon arrival, they find themselves in the middle of the heavy storm, and the actual island is closing its bridge and the town for the season. Marie convinces The Bridge Man (Richard Brake) to let her in due to an urgent matter, not realizing this will be her biggest mistake.

From writer/director Jockey Keating, “Offseason” is an atmospheric horror film with an impressive taste. From start to end, it is a fast-paced narrative that, without the talented cast, would be much harder to pull off. The cinematography and dark photography is spot-on, delivering the terrifying side of the island, which was otherwise very beautiful and colorful. It is such a joy watching films like this because even though it has a low budget, but it knows how to spend money wisely. And that is why you won’t be disappointed giving it a chance because it is worth every penny you spend on it.