Film review: ”SOMETHING IN THE DIRT” by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

Gonzo sci fi comedy/drama Something in the Dirt sits at the low-budget, DIY end of the movie making spectrum. This is both a blessing and a curse as the film has a raw, freewheeling energy but also feels unfocused and leaves us with the gnawing sense that the opportunity for a much more interesting film has been missed.

This is, for the most part, a two-hander as thirty-something John (Aaron Moorhead who also co-directed) and newcomer and seemingly the only other resident at his apartment block, Levi (Justin Benson, who also co-directed and wrote the script) begin an uneasy friendship. John, strangely is a former maths teacher turned wedding photographer turned motorised scooter charger. Levi is a barman with possible criminal convictions who seems to take fashion and personal grooming tips from Silence Of the Lambs’ Buffalo Bill.  Just after Levi moves in they witness a bizarre phenomenon in his apartment as a chunky quartz ashtray begins levitating and projecting a strange geometric pattern on the wall. Fascinated and seeing potential for a lucrative supernatural documentary, they begin filming these odd events. As the phenomena increase, the two guys try to explain it via a plethora of quasi-scientific, supernatural and conspiracy theories involving complex maths, aliens, poltergeists, radiation, the Pythagorean Brotherhood and the early history of Los Angeles.  Are these phenomena really happening, have John and Levi just made them up to try and score cash on YouTube or are they manifestations of Levi and John’s psyche, personal disappointments and their need to find some sort of meaning in life?

While this is an often clever, mysterious and inventive film, it also has the aroma of fanboy indulgence.  The use of found footage recalls The Blair Witch Project while its mix of science and the supernatural echoes Donnie Darko.  Also, as we watch increasingly weird events take place and John and Levi’s friendship implode, the film flits from one loopy idea and film genre to the next, becoming a little too scatty and as with the series Lost, we start to fear there won’t be a satisfying explanation for these strange events.

While there is a lot going on here, Something in the Dirt still feels padded and like a short film blown out to feature length through plot digressions and repetition. Consequently, it often seems like the film is going in circles and because of this it fails to develop momentum.

Moorhead and Benson sell the characters of Levi and John pretty well making them slightly dodgy, occasionally annoying but not outright obnoxious and mostly believable as two ordinary guys suddenly confronted by extremely unusual events.  Importantly, the two actors also lend their characters at least some pathos as they confront their personal failings.

Despite the leads’ generally impressive performances, an intriguing set-up and the filmmakers throwing everything they can at the camera, Something In the Dirt ends up a bit of a lark rather than a thoroughly satisfying film.

Nick’s rating: ***

Genre: Sci Fi/ comedy/ drama

Classification: M.

Director(s): Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead.

Release date: 1st Dec 2022.

Running time: 116 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

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