Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘You’ll Never Find Me’

3/25/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Brendan Rock as “Patrick” in Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen’s YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME. Photo Courtesy of Ian Routledge/Shudder. A Shudder Release.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘You’ll Never Find Me’.

We really have reached a unique point in horror history. For the genre has in essence, reached an evolutionary point. Where it is no longer just about horrible monsters that go bump in the night because audiences have demanded more of the genre. Specifically, fans have made it clear they want the genre to turn its attention to the biggest monster of all, humanity. So that we can better understand the dark side of the human condition, and what brings it to life, so that we can quell the darkness and improve as a species and make horror features pure fantasy over reflections of what we see on the six o’clock news when someone makes a terrible choice.

Which is a demand that has led to some stunning storytelling from the industry. The kind that has now showcased how trauma is a monster and a ghost we carry with us everywhere. How addiction can transform us into the worst version of ourselves and of course… how and why people do indeed choose to cross the line and commit harm against others, and well… the genre is showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to these explorations. In fact, it appears poised to take them to the next level, as evidenced by a brand-new horror feature that was recently released on Shudder entitled, You’ll Never Find Me. A disturbing film that takes us places we never expect to go; the final minutes of a person’s life and into the mind of the person that took it.

A feat that this story accomplishes by plunging us into an uncomfortable night, in the middle of nowhere. Wherein a man named Patrick is waiting for… something in the silence of his trailer. What exactly, we don’t know, we just know he is deeply disturbed by the arrival of a young woman in the midst of a storm. For he clearly does not want her there for reasons that are not initially quite clear. But as this woman spends time with Patrick and learns about his past and why he’s so nervous and so oddly calm with the prospect of death, does it become clear that Patrick is supremely dangerous and loves to rob young women of their lives, and she is his next target. Unless of course, she can turn the tables on Patrick as he laments and struggles with the reality that he must kill again and that… this visitor is not what she appears to be.

Jordan Cowan as “The Visitor” in Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen’s YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME. Photo Courtesy of Morgan Sette/Shudder. A Shudder Release.

Which at first glance, appears to be a plot grounded in more American Psycho-esque concepts. Since that summary really doesn’t make it clear as to whether or not Patrick has committed a crime and quite frankly, neither does the film to the very, very end. But it does become evident that Patrick is in fact, a serial killer and well… that makes everything that leads to that all-important moment… horrifying in nature. Since it deeply explores what those final moments look like for a person, and what it showcases regarding that, is utterly horrifying. Since we are privy to the fear and the terror that surges through one’s veins before losing their life, giving rise to a morbid perspective on death and how quickly it comes for those in the hands of monsters, and how hollow and disgusting that moment can be.

A move that does indeed showcase the cruelty that man is capable of, and how much evil goes into the act of murder. But this film offers us so much more. By also taking us inside the mind of Patrick, wherein we learn what motivates him to kill, and that is designed to teach us what creates this evil. Which relates to a true destruction of one’s mind and psyche through trauma and darkness. The kind that piles upon a soul and never leaves and is sometimes self-inflicted. Since we also come to learn that that Patrick remembers deeply the lives he’s taken and struggles with the act to a certain degree. Postulating the real possibility that being a monster akin to Patrick is a tortured existence, one filled with regret and fear and well… that’s the bright spot in this film.

Because it means that the monsters suffer, and the monsters are indeed scared and small on the inside, and that’s welcome comfort in a motion picture that is as bleak as they come. Because this one, is dark and twisted and truly savage from beginning to end. To the point where you are uncomfortable the minute the story starts and well… that deserves endless praise, as does every single second of this story. Simply because this is that rare horror film that not only pushes horror into new territory and explorations, but truly offers up visceral emotions that leave you squirming in your seat. Making this a grand experiment in raw fear as well, one designed to immerse us, and that makes this a must-see feature. Because this one really does take us on an emotional rollercoaster and gives us plenty to ponder upon, and you can never go wrong with a horror film that accomplishes such thoughtful and unsettling feats.

Watch ‘You’ll Never Find Me’

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