Watch Romeo's Distress

Romeo's Distress is an independent, low-budget, black and white horror film directed by Jeff Frumess and released in 2016. The movie tells the story of James, a young man who suffers from a mental illness that causes him to have hallucinations and violent tendencies. James struggles to cope with his illness, as he feels trapped in his own mind and unable to connect with others.

The film follows James as he meets and becomes obsessed with a woman named Lily, who he believes is the only person who can understand him. Lily is a quirky artist who is drawn to James' tortured soul, but she soon realizes that his love for her is unhealthy and dangerous. As James becomes more unstable, he begins to lose touch with reality and is forced to confront his demons in order to survive.

The movie's central themes include mental illness, obsession, and the impact of trauma on the human psyche. The film's black and white cinematography adds to its bleak and ominous tone, and the use of vivid dream sequences and hallucinations helps to blur the lines between reality and fantasy.

Nick Bohun delivers a captivating performance as James, bringing depth and nuance to the character's struggle with mental illness. Alex Echevarria shines as Lily, bringing a sense of lightheartedness and whimsy to the film's otherwise dark subject matter. Jeff Frumess also delivers a standout performance as the film's villain, a menacing figure who represents James' deepest fears and insecurities.

While Romeo's Distress is not without its flaws, including pacing issues and occasional lapses in narrative coherence, it succeeds in creating a haunting and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. The movie's unconventional approach to horror and its willingness to explore difficult themes make it a standout example of independent filmmaking at its most daring and ambitious.

Overall, Romeo's Distress is a thought-provoking and unsettling film that will appeal to fans of arthouse horror and psychological thrillers. Its raw energy, striking visuals, and powerful performances make it a memorable addition to the genre, and a testament to the creativity and innovation that can emerge from independent filmmaking.

Romeo's Distress is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.