Paragon (2023) 💀💀💀💀

Paragon shows what can happen when a filmmaker's multiple roles enhance rather than hinders a project. Colin Treneff writes, directs, edits, and scores this film with obsessive attention to detail, starting with a pitch-perfect recreation of the 1980s. Every aspect feels so authentic that, if not for a brief Lovecraftian reference, this could pass for genuine vintage cinema.

For viewers of a certain age, watching the protagonist back up his diskette in a darkened room, complete with authentic drive sounds, proves deeply nostalgic. Even the exaggerated capabilities of a computer limited to 128k of RAM align perfectly with computer-focused films of the era like Electric Dreams and War Games.

The film builds from this authentic foundation. When the Apple IIe starts making predictions about the "future" (beginning, of course, with the year 2000 - an obsession of the era), the story takes hold. The click of keys and muttered comments as the protagonist works feel genuine, drawn from anyone's memory of late-night computer sessions. What could have turned whimsical stays grounded through Treneff's score, which ratchets up tension as our protagonist faces each new revelation.

Jacob Ost brings weight to every scene as he confronts the computer's revelations. His natural reactions trace a path from disbelief to horror without a false note. The film wraps up by avoiding cheap scares, building instead to a finale that rewards viewers who've been paying attention.

2023 ✶ 12m ✶ Color ✶ US ✶ Director: Colin Treneff ✶ Screenplay: Colin Treneff ✶ Music: Colin Treneff ✶ Starring: Jacob Ost (Jeremy Wilkins) ✶ Youtube.