Although the crime-laden premise of the film might have you believe it will be a thrill-ride from start to finish, the majority of the runtime is a simmering, slow-burn character study.
A Safe Distance starts off with a bang — literally — as the sound of a gunshot jolts us into the world of crime and consequence that this thriller promises. Before long, it’s clear that this opening sequence, during which we see two women dispose of a body and board a bus headed across the country, is actually a preview of what’s to come. Having sufficiently teased us, the story goes back in time to focus on Alex (Bethany Brown) and her boyfriend Joey (Chris McNally) as they head out on a camping trip to celebrate their eighth anniversary. But despite Joey’s assertion that he and Alex are "both boring [and] that’s why we’re perfect for each other," it soon becomes pretty obvious that they’re not, actually, perfect for each other at all. Whether it’s the sex (only Joey appears to derive any pleasure out of this), or the exhausting hiking (again, his idea), the couple’s lack of real chemistry is palpable– and it’s therefore no surprise when, at the scenic top of the trail, Joey’s self-absorbed proposal gets turned down.
Alex wakes the next morning to find that Joey has apparently disappeared from their campsite, leaving her alone in the now-stormy woods. When the sky clears, Alex heads out on her own, but the slippery forest floor causes her to fall and lose consciousness. She wakes, only a little while later, to a couple standing over her, checking that she’s alright. What Alex (and the audience) will soon find out, though, is that this isn’t just another camping duo. She has found herself entangled with a pair of bank robbers who are currently on the run across Canada.
What ensues is a tense yet understated affair between these three individuals, all of whom are seeking their own definitions of freedom. To Alex, Kianna (Tandia Mercedes) and Matt (Cody Kearsley) represent everything that her life isn’t, and she’s drawn to their rebellious ways. But as she gets closer (to Kianna in particular), the cracks start to appear: despite his condemnation of men like Joey, or the patriarchy at large, Matt shows himself to be not such a respectable figure himself. At times, these revelations of character feel a bit on-the-nose, with dialogue that proclaims Matt’s "hypocrisy" at claiming to be a feminist. But the underlying ideas — about privilege, making excuses for oneself, and the parallels that exist even between men like Joey and Matt — are interesting to see explored here.
Although the crime-laden premise of the film might have you believe it will be a thrill-ride from start to finish, the majority of the runtime is a simmering, slow-burn character study. For the most part, I really liked this psychological, grounded approach to the story. The decision to have such a claustrophobic premise take place in the British Columbia woods was a great one, and the cinematography work can truly not be overstated — if for nothing else, I’d recommend this film for the gorgeous way it filmed its setting.
At just 85 minutes, the film wraps up before overstaying its welcome. Much of the thrill lies not in wondering what will happen (as the beginning sequence gives us a pretty good idea), but in how and when. And while there were moments that I was a little let down by this — even now, part of me feels that the framing doesn’t leave enough mystery to sustain the film itself — the investment in the characters is what kept me interested in each moment of the narrative. It’s truly a testament to the idea that sometimes, less is more; action-packed flashiness isn’t needed in a story that boasts a gripping premise, interesting characters, and some really fantastic production design.
A Safe Distance had its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival.
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