Perry Blackshear’s 2015 film, They Look Like People, raises the stakes for using an unreliable narrator. The film stars MacLeod Andrews as Wyatt, who believes evil shapeshifters are invading major cities. Wyatt visits his old friend Christian (Evan Dumouchel) and struggles to prepare for what he thinks is an impending apocalypse.
As Wyatt’s fears clash with Christian’s normal life, the audience starts to question the reality of this invasion. The movie uses Wyatt’s distorted sense of reality to create intense suspense, tension, and dread. The constant questioning of reality builds up suspense.
The film uses classic horror methods like strange camera angles, blurry shots, and unsettling sound effects to deepen the feeling of fear. They Look Like People builds up slowly to a nerve-wracking climax that can make even experienced horror fans uneasy.
MacLeod Andrews’ Performance Shines in a Masterful Depiction of an Unreliable Narrator
Andrews’ portrayal of Wyatt draws the audience into the central question of the film: Is the shapeshifter invasion real? The film’s tension depends on whether the audience buys into the idea of a shapeshifter plot. Wyatt gets hostile phone calls from supposed “chosen ones” and shapeshifters.
These calls draw viewers into Wyatt’s role several times during the film. One caller predicts that the invasion will start with three claps of thunder. When these claps happen, both Wyatt and the audience feel anxious about what’s coming next.
These phone calls help convince the viewer of the possible invasion. As Wyatt doubts his own reality, the phone calls pull him and the audience back into his fears.
Minimal Sound Design Heightens the Realism and Tension
They Look Like People has almost no musical score. Instead, it uses sudden noises to break up the silence, creating a naturalistic sound experience that mirrors Wyatt’s own feelings. When Wyatt is happy, scenes are filled with laughter.
As he gets more paranoid, silence becomes heavy and is often interrupted by loud noises, like a door opening. These sudden noises make both Wyatt and the viewer jump. The film’s most important sound is the buzzing of insects. Wyatt believes he can spot shapeshifters by hearing this sound.
By the end of the film, the audience flinches every time they hear the buzzing. The camera often shakes and is out of focus, adding to the feeling of anxiety.
The Final Scene Keeps Viewers on Edge
The film’s final scene brings the tension to its peak. Wyatt and Christian are locked in a basement, waiting for the apocalypse. Wyatt thinks Christian might be infected and hears the insect buzzing. Andrews and Dumouchel give a powerful performance, showing Wyatt’s fear and Christian’s determination.
Christian allows Wyatt to tie him up, and their genuine friendship makes this moment even more intense. When Wyatt puts a bag over Christian’s head, the audience feels his distress. The buzzing insects and flashes of light create a chilling effect. Despite no graphic scenes, the final moments are deeply unsettling and make it hard to look away.
They Look Like People starts as a classic invasion story but becomes a moving psychological horror. Wyatt’s struggle with his delusions is at the heart of the film.
Andrews and Dumouchel deliver convincing performances, enhancing the film’s emotional depth and suspense. Without big explosions or gore, the film makes the viewer’s heart race by the end.
They Look Like People is available for streaming on Tubi in the U.S.
