Hywel Bennett is Martin Durnley, a 22-year-old who has more than his typical share of problems for a guy his age. Numerous family issues drive his personality to be absorbed into an alternate one called "Georgie," who steals from department stores, lies to his family, and far, far worse! Aside from my perception that Martin (Yes, he shares the namesake of that George Romero character) is a weak dude from start--which is why he cracks so severely under the pressure of his fam--Twisted Nerve depicts a worthwhile declension into madness and psychosis.

For cineastes, film geeks and random nerds, the relevance of Twisted Nerve to somewhat recent pop culture is its tie to Kill Bill: Vol. 1, which borrowed Martin / Georgie's idiosyncratic whistle (great melody there, Georgie!) for a scene in which the character Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) ventures into a hospital to do harm to a different, beloved character. These types of homages on the part of KBV1's director fascinate me: they not only direct the viewer's attention to the borrowed-from film in question, but are meant to lend psychological depth to the overall filmic context, the same way that a choice hip-hop sample can import outside qualities to a rap track. Having listened to the selection "Twisted Nerve" on KBV1's soundtrack, I was drawn to this and not disappointed. The childlike Bennett carries Twisted Nerve with practically masterful ease.

Long story short, Georgie's first big horror moment is almost relatable--the victim of his crime being a smug, domineering a-hole who schemes to make sure that the younger man cannot chart his own destiny. But since Martin's initial move into deviance isn't quite properly motivated, nagging flaws exist until the film's end. Those aside, Georgie's arc will thrill and possibly petrify viewers who stick around with him through the climax. This is old-style horror with--IIRC--not one single "jump scare in it." Bravo, Hywel!