The thriller Private Property opens in theaters and on Digital platforms this weekend featuring a compelling update of a 1960 Black and White thriller. Co-writer and director Chadd Harbold, who has delved mostly in short films of which were 8 of his 12 credits, adds color, a few twists, and gives the viewer a wide screen to attempt to deliver every eye grabbing scene.
Budding actress Kathryn Carlyle (Ashley Benson) has been honing her acting skills in hopes of getting a big role in a movie. Here producer husband Richard (Jay Pharoah) has not had an opportunity to have her casted, but tells her it may be possible on his newest project. Home alone in her mansion, Kathryn takes care of boring tasks and on this one day something is about to change. After her gardener doesn’t show, she gets a call from the company that they are sending a new guy to fill in until they can give her a permanent replacement.
Showing up at the door is Duke (Shiloh Fernandez), a very handsome and self-assured guy who gets her attention immediately. So begins a tale that pushes her sexual fantasy buttons that have been running cold for some time. Director Harbold does a pretty good job with the story and builds up some passion and sensual energy. That said however, the script strays and gets a bit too predictable midway through.
While the performances by the two central stars, Ashley Benson as Kathryn and Shiloh Fernandez as Duke provide some good steam on the screen, it’s not enough to make the film believable. When things start to go awry, the meek and submissive Kathryn becomes someone who couldn’t have defended herself from what was to come.
Private Property has been rated R by the MPAA for some violence, language and sexual references. It’s often that films that were hits in the 50’s and 60’s are remade due to a number of reasons. In the film Private Property, although the story basically remains the same as the 1960 version, the dialogue and character portrayals have changed to make the film updated. Also the use of black and white that keeps the 60’s film dark, has turned to pleasant color, cameras are wide screen loosing close-ups of the changing personalities, and the director in the 2022 release uses a lot of Hollywood magic that’s unnecessary.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Ashley Benson, Shiloh Fernandez, Logan Miller, Frank Whaley, Jay Pharoah
Directed and co-written By: Chadd Harbold
Genre: Thriller, Drama
MPAA Rating: R for some violence, language and sexual references
Running Time: 1 hr. 27 min.
Opening Date: May 13, 2022
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released in: Select Theaters, Digital, VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
