If you’re in the mood for a psycho-sexual queer thriller that will leave you questioning reality, look no further than Haze. Directed by Matthew Fifer, this film dives deep into the eerie world of institutionalization and buried secrets. Making its international premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival, Haze follows Joseph (Cole Doman), a struggling journalist who returns to his hometown to investigate a mass suicide linked to a defunct psychiatric facility. As he delves into the town’s sordid past, he confronts not only the horrors of the asylum but also the lingering shadows of his own demons. Fifer crafts a chilling atmosphere that uses ghosts from the past and generational homophobia to give Haze a captivating feel despite its slow pacing.
Familial Trauma Is Real
As a little boy, Joseph enjoyed playing dress-up with jewelry and wigs, and his older sister encouraged this type of play. She recognized how this so-called make-believe actually allowed Joseph to feel like himself. Unfortunately, not everyone in the family felt the same way. The film doesn’t exactly spell out why Joe left his hometown, but it’s clear his parents didn’t accept him. Now as an adult, Joseph returns to his childhood home under the pretense of investigating a story of suicide, but he also comes with the expectation of resolving familial trauma. Down the street from Joseph’s grandma’s house sits a massive abandoned psychiatric center. Back in the 80s, eight men hung themselves and caused such a scandal, the facility had to shut down. Now, dark and riddled with graffiti, Joseph hopes to investigate this haunted monument to write an article.
The Plot Thickens
Coming back home isn’t just about work for Joseph, it’s also very personal. The town, (aside from the creepy psychiatric hospital) is also filled with many mysteries and a very uncomfortable vibe. The film unleashes one mystery after another: the supposed suicide of eight men, the untimely death of Joseph’s sister when they were kids, and the recent disappearance of a local woman. Adding to the intrigue is Luke (played by Brian J. Smith), a mysterious man who suddenly appears in Joseph’s life, and offers emotional (and sexual) release. As Joseph delves into the town’s dark history, several secondary characters come into play, each with their own secrets.
The plot thickens as Joseph uncovers hidden connections between the newest victims and the town’s dark past, which leads him to suspect that the old psychiatric institution holds the key to the mysteries. As he gets closer to the truth, Joseph’s relationship with Luke intensifies, but so does the danger surrounding them. With each revelation, the line between reality and Joseph’s own haunted memories blurs and makes him question who he can trust and whether he can escape the shadows of his past.
This Story Simmers
Haze unfolds at a deliberately slow pace, which may intentionally mirror the deep-seated and insidious nature of homophobia within Joseph and the community. This unhurried storytelling allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in Joseph’s internal and external struggles. His personal journey (intertwined with the town’s dark history) reveals how prejudice and intolerance can fester beneath the surface and eventually influence actions and shape identities. Each scene methodically exposes the layers of bigotry, from Joseph’s painful childhood memories to the town’s reluctance to confront its past.
Fifer’s film masterfully delves into the psychological complexities of trauma and crafts an intriguing exploration of Joseph’s inner turmoil and the haunting influence of his past. While the slow pacing of Haze might not captivate all audiences, it serves to deepen the character study and offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of Joseph’s struggles with identity, acceptance, and deeply ingrained homophobia. Fans of slow burns will appreciate the film’s focus on Joseph’s development rather than rushing through the mysterious deaths and secrets of the town. This deliberate approach allows viewers to fully engage with Joseph’s emotional journey, and understanding the profound impact of his experiences and the pervasive nature of trauma.
