John and the Hole

Movie Trailer

Release Date
August 6, 2021

Genre
Psychological Thriller, Drama

Cast & Crew

• Charlie Shotwell as John
• Michael C. Hall as Brad
• Jennifer Ehle as Anna
• Taissa Farmiga as Laurie
• Lucien Spelman as Charlie

Director
Pascual Sisto

Other Movies Director is Known For

• John and the Hole is Pascual Sisto’s feature film directorial debut.

Producer

• Elika Portnoy
• Alex Orlovsky
• Michael Bowes

Writer

• Nicolás Giacobone
  Based on the short story El Pozo by Nicolás Giacobone

Budget
N/A (Independent film)

Production Company

• 3311 Productions
• Mutressa Movies

Running Time
103 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Disturbing themes
• Psychological tension
• Some violence

Movie Story
John and the Hole is a haunting psychological thriller that delves into the unsettling story of John (Charlie Shotwell), a 13-year-old boy who decides to hold his family captive in an unfinished bunker near their home. The film explores the dark and chilling aspects of adolescence, as John, seemingly an ordinary teenager, takes an unexpected and disturbing turn.

The film opens with John discovering the bunker, a deep, empty hole in the ground intended for future construction. Fascinated by the hole and its potential, John hatches a plan to drug his family—his father Brad (Michael C. Hall), mother Anna (Jennifer Ehle), and older sister Laurie (Taissa Farmiga)—and trap them inside. Once they are unconscious, John drags them one by one into the bunker and leaves them there without explanation.

As his family awakens in the hole, confused and desperate, John continues life as if nothing has happened. He moves through their upscale home, enjoying the freedom of having no parental supervision. The film portrays John’s actions in a detached, almost clinical manner, emphasizing the eeriness of his calm demeanor. Meanwhile, the family struggles to survive in the bunker, grappling with the realization that they are at the mercy of a child they thought they knew.

The film offers little in terms of explanation for John’s behavior, leaving much of his motivations ambiguous. Is he acting out of boredom, curiosity, or something deeper and more sinister? The ambiguity adds to the film’s psychological tension, as viewers are left to ponder the nature of John’s actions and the thin line between childhood innocence and something far darker.

John and the Hole is a minimalist and slow-burning thriller that challenges audiences with its unsettling atmosphere and the disturbing premise of a child exerting absolute control over his family. The film explores themes of power, autonomy, and the latent violence that can exist within even the most seemingly innocent individuals.

Special Effects
The special effects in John and the Hole are minimal, focusing instead on creating a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere through its stark cinematography and sound design. The film’s power lies in its ability to unsettle without the need for elaborate visuals, using the setting of the bunker and the quiet, sterile environment of the family’s home to evoke a sense of unease. The sparse use of effects enhances the psychological impact of the story, allowing the performances and the unsettling narrative to take center stage.

Box Office Performance
John and the Hole was released in a limited number of theaters and through video on demand (VOD). As an independent film with a niche audience, it had a modest box office performance but received attention for its unique and unsettling premise. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021, where it garnered interest for its unconventional narrative and psychological depth.

Filming Locations

• Sudbury, Massachusetts, USA

Notable Quotes

• “How does it feel to be free?” – John
• “Why are you doing this to us?” – Laurie
• “You can come out when you’ve learned your lesson.” – John

Behind-the-Scenes
John and the Hole marks the feature film debut of director Pascual Sisto, who collaborated with Nicolás Giacobone, an Oscar-winning screenwriter known for Birdman and Biutiful. The film was shot in Massachusetts, and Sisto’s approach to the story emphasized minimalism and psychological tension. Charlie Shotwell’s portrayal of John was praised for its eerie subtlety, capturing the disturbing complexity of a child who commits a horrifying act without clear motivation. The film’s ambiguous nature and sparse dialogue challenge the audience to draw their own conclusions about John’s behavior and the film’s underlying themes.

Awards

• Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival

Final Verdict
John and the Hole is a disturbing and thought-provoking psychological thriller that explores the dark side of adolescence and the unsettling potential for violence within the human psyche. Its minimalist approach, coupled with strong performances and an ambiguous narrative, makes it a haunting and memorable film. While it may not appeal to all viewers due to its slow pace and lack of clear resolution, those who appreciate psychological tension and unsettling themes will find John and the Hole to be a compelling and chilling experience.

IMDb Rating
5.2/10