The Honeymoon Phase typically refers to the first few months of a new relationship where those involved are ecstatically happy with one another, overlooking flaws and only seeing the good in their partner. The exact amount of time it lasts is debated but inevitably it comes to an end and cracks start to show. This idea is one of many explored in the 2020 film ‘The Honeymoon Phase’, a psychological science fiction thriller that serves as the debut feature for director Phillip G. Carroll Jr.
The basic premise of the film is a simple one. A young couple, Eve and Tom, agree to participate in a study where married couples are placed in isolation for a month and monitored throughout. This is something that has become a reality for a lot of people lately (minus the constant surveillance of course) and inspires different emotions depending on personality. For me, personally, the idea of being with someone constantly in my space uninterrupted for a prolonged period is hellish on its own. The film takes its premise and runs with it, spinning a tale of paranoia, gaslighting and shifting power dynamics that leave the viewer as confused and helpless as its protagonist (in a good way).
2020 Aspire Motion Pictures
To start with, the small cast is excellent in their roles, especially Jim Schubin who plays Tom and Chloe Carroll who plays Eve. Their relationship comes across as very warm and genuine and throughout the film there are opportunities to empathise with both of them. While most of the emotional heavy lifting is on protagonist Eve, there were certain scenes where I really felt for struggling writer Tom. One scene in particular where Tom complains about having writer’s block only to receive Eve’s rather unsympathetic ‘then unblock!’ in response really struck a chord – but that might just be me reacting as a struggling writer myself.
Even as Eve grows more and more paranoid and Tom becomes more at odds with her, it’s played in such a way that for the majority of the film the viewer can’t quite take a side. No matter how many times Eve insists Tom has changed, the viewer is only privy to the briefest of moments prior to them entering the experiment leaving no room for comparison, and Tom is portrayed as a more stable figure for a good chunk of the run time. The viewer gets to experience a fraction of Eve's mental state as they themselves are left unsure what to believe.
2020 Aspire Motion Pictures
Schubin’s Tom has a childlike quality at times and as the layers peel back, it’s contrasted nicely with his more actively antagonistic moments, making for a very unsettling watch even when it’s not entirely clear why the viewer should feel that way. Carroll’s Eve is a deeply intriguing character to watch, showing vulnerability along with a core of steel that endures throughout as she adapts. I was both in awe and ever so slightly terrified of her.
Going in, I was a little wary that the premise might play out in a manner similar to Stephen King’s The Shining as the struggling writer, fraying relationship and isolated setting certainly seemed reminiscent. One of the more intense scenes between the couple even took place in a bathroom! After viewing, I’m not sure if these similarities were intentional or not but if they were, they made a nice homage.
If the film has one weakness, it’s the sci-fi elements near the end which feel slightly unnecessary, but that’s only because they’re overshadowed by the thrilling psychological struggles of its central characters. The film itself is beautifully shot, the limited set is gorgeous (seriously, where do I sign up for these experiments with such decorative facilities?) with space and colour being used to really build the emotions of each scene. It’s a very visceral film, relying a lot more on the feel of each moment than over the top visuals but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking for outright scares. There are certain parts that will linger in the mind long after it’s finished, especially for female viewers (I’m going to have Tom haunting my nightmares for a while, I can tell).
2020 Aspire Motion Pictures
Overall, this was an engaging film that leaves the viewer second guessing throughout in the best way and delivers emotional punches to send them reeling right up to the closing credits. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this director!