Misper (A British Dark Comedy) // A Chattanooga Film Festival Review

Misper is a refreshing change of pace from the many true crime stories inundating us these days. Instead of following along as someone tries to solve the mystery, it focuses on those left behind to deal with the uncertainty of a loss. Misper pushes the idea further by centering on the missing person’s coworkers. It’s an interesting take as they’re merely acquaintances. Misper is a fascinating reminder that tragedy can affect anyone regardless of relationship status.

Elle Pritchard (Emily Carey) has gone missing and workers at The Grand Hotel are left wondering if their coworker will return. While they’re not exactly the best of friends, they still interact on an almost daily basis. It’s just the right amount of interaction to make the entire scenario feel hauntingly true. We mostly follow Leonard (Samuel Blenkin) as he navigates his complicated feelings around Elle’s disappearance. Toss in a wee crush he has, and the complications add up.

The Grand Hotel 

Misper makes the smart decision to treat the hotel as a character rather than simply using it as a backdrop. Set in a coastal English town that feels stuck in the off season, the film is draped in an air of decay and uncertainty. Everything feels as though it’s slowly fading away. The town, the hotel, and even the people who inhabit it are fading. That sense of decline hangs over every scene, creating the feeling that something is dying long before we learn what may have happened to the missing Elle.

There were moments where Misper felt a bit disjointed, as if it was still figuring out what kind of story it wanted to tell. After watching the film, I learned that the writer and director were still revising the script during shooting which honestly explains a lot. A few scenes did feel awkwardly shoved into the narrative while others felt in search of a genre. Having said that, though, Misper does eventually find its footing. I found that once it settles into itself, it becomes an engaging watch. 

Final Thoughts

Misper is a dark comedy you should keep on your radar if your streaming history is full of true crime and murder mystery. It’s not your standard procedural or straight up thriller, but it borrows just enough to pull you in. While it didn’t wow me, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Misper has a way of getting its hooks into you and keeping you guessing. The story shifts just enough that the next step is unknown. If you’re not checking it out at Chattanooga Film Festival in person or at a theatre, then stream it where you can find it.