Posted on March 14, 2012
By Emmet Duff
SXSW
Intruders
Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Intruders is a cyclical examination of monsters and nightmares and where they come from and why they persist. To this extent, its a successful endeavour. But as a satisfying, complete narrative it is a bit too muddled and a bit too slight. Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo provides enough beautiful imagery and haunting mystery to carry much of the film–though some credit goes to the three great leads–but ultimately the film fades to black and then continues fading.
The main monster in question is Hollowface, a creature of significant stature and insignificant face. He is hooded and can fly and is
either invented by or awoken by a young boy–and writing hobbyist–named Juan. Years later, a young girl named Mia (Ella Purnell) discovers yellowed old parchment describing the awakening of Hollowface, begins trying to finish the tale, and–voila–awakens Hollowface.
The early going of this film is incredibly intriguing. The effects team behind Hollowface does a fantastic job, and the film elicits a nostalgic kind of fear–of checking closets and dark alleyways. All actors present are natural and charming. Clive Owen does a great job as best dad ever, and young Ella Purnell is a revelatory talent as precocious writer and Hollowface victim Mia.
The film does a good job with small twists and turns, and the mystery of Hollowface is never the problem–as the final reveal is quite good. And for much of the film, literal and fantastic worlds weave throughout each other in really unique, powerful ways. But the film struggles when it is forced by its narrative to confront that co-mingling. Intruders is an interesting, often chilling, tale about chilling tales, but it is not the critical thesis on monsters and monstrosity that it might have been.
–Emmet Duff
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Intruders, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, SXSw, SXSW 2012
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Emmet Duff is a small town Ohioan reborn as an Austin, TX based artist and writer. He spent his youth either reading or watching movies, which is probably why he feels compelled to watch movies and then write words about them. In 2009, he graduated from Kenyon College with a double degree in Psychology and Studio Art and has yet to capitalize on that deadly combination. Once a kindly and humble Midwesterner, Emmet now eats a Tex Mex breakfast, sports a ten gallon hat, and refuses to be messed with.
As an artist, Emmet enjoys photographing things, building things, and photographing things that he builds. Though his writing extends beyond cinema and criticism, he started his illustrious film writing career working for his older, very talented, brother in Sydney, Australia. Emmet has a enthusiastic love for all kinds of films and would be hard pressed to name a favorite filmmaker. But one time he spent a few days rewatching all of David Cronenberg’s films in a row. And he didn’t hate it. 
