Charlie anxiously awaits her girlfriend’s arrival home to celebrate their anniversary. She drinks wine as she waits and cuddles her hairless cat, Barker (a nod to the horror writer and filmmaker, Clive Barker). And she waits. And she waits. And she waits. The longer she waits, the weirder things become. She can’t see outside her apartment windows and someone is talking through the vents. But it’s just the neighbor crying next door. Right? 

With a vibe similar to The Night House, Alone With You is a queer horror film keeps you looking over your shoulder. It’s best watched alone, mirroring Charlie’s lonely state as her girlfriend is absent and her friends drunkenly FaceTime her. Lock yourself away as you watch this, as Charlie is locked inside her apartment. Misery loves company. 

Shot by Justin Brooks & Emily Bennett, this film is a master class in cinematography, only to be rivaled by the score composed by Phil Mossman. Unsettling camera angles and a score with low bass bumps that make the heart palpitate, Alone With You doesn’t allow the viewer a moment to breathe once shit hits the fan. 

I was thrilled to see Barbara Crampton is a part of this film, playing Charlie’s religious mother. Her performance is only matched by Emily Bennett, whose portrayal of Charlie chills and thrills the viewer. 

This film made me jump several times, at one point I swore loudly. For reference, I am a seasoned horror fan who rarely gets frightened by most horror films (a lamentable situation, really. I love getting scared). Alone With You has mastered the art of the jumpscare in a way that isn’t cheap or teasing to the viewer. In fact, each loud scare furthers the plot and anxiety of not only Charlie but also the audience. This film had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I haven’t felt this captivated and terrified by a film since Hereditary (2018) or Shudder’s Host (2020). 

Frankly I’m offended this film wasn’t released in theaters. The only way to increase the already massive scares in Alone With You would be viewing them in a darkened theater. Right next to The Medium, I would argue that Alone With You is the best horror film of 2021. 

When you’re watching this film, just remember: you’re not here, you’re not here, you’re not here… 

10 Out of 10 Barkers