Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Contracted’

Written by Scott Edwards 

​Having someone to depend on is something that everyone needs. Regardless how much we may like being alone, having someone that will look after you and help whenever you need it makes life much more livable. Even if you have not found this one person that is there for you for every situation, you have your friends that are good at helping with specific issues and even though they may not be the ones you want to turn to at all times, they will do anything in their power to help you.

Samantha has just moved back home with her mother while she waits to hear back as to whether or not she has been accepted into horticulture school. Even with her shady past, Sam has been able to focus all of her wrong doings into producing some never before seen flowers and wants to show the world. With her mother keeping a close eye on her, since the last time Sam was at home she was hooked on drugs, she knows that it is only for a few weeks and if this gardening path does not free her from her home, her new girlfriend will.

After a rough break up, Samantha has found her new love with a bartender from her work, Nikki, who is helping Sam stay clean and sane. Although this is Sam’s first relationship with a woman, she is happy and willing to lay it all on the line to make sure it works out. When going to a party however, Sam is drugged and has sex with a party goer named B.J. who takes full advantage of her. With Nikki missing the party altogether, Sam believes she can keep this a secret from her love and pretend like nothing has happened, but she gets very sick and cannot explain why.

Thinking that this is a sexually transmitted disease, Sam turns to her doctor and tells him the story of what has happened, but the doctor is not able to give her any answers upfront, he just tells her to keep doing what she is doing and she should get better. But it becomes more apparent that there is something very wrong with her as she starts to bleed profusely, and her appearance becomes more sickly. Trying to find out what is wrong with her, she hears that the police are looking for the same guy from the party that she had hooked up with, but with no reason as to why they are looking for him, she keeps her silence. As the third day of her sickness strikes, Sam has become very sensitive to sound and her eyes have changed from their normal hue to a blood red. Thinking that she is on drugs again, her mother tries everything in her power to have another intervention, but what is wrong with Sam runs deeper than a nasty habit. 

This is a very depressing story to say the least. With a good story and fantastic acting, I was blown away by how it played out. Not getting anyone to believe her and what was really happening with her health due to her tainted past is just very upsetting but is true is so many ways. With people judging Sam about her past and current lifestyle, when she actually needs help, there may be nobody that will step up to the plate. This is a fantastic character piece as you watch Sam’s deterioration play out before your very eyes, and it is not just the makeup that will make you cringe as you can see her emotions changing very drastically as well. Stay Scared. 

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