Hollywood is in a panic as another L.A. serial killer lurks in the Hills. Four people have gone missing in the last week, but a couple of washed-up artists think they know who the killer is.
It is always great to see an Irish filmmaker, especially one from Tralee, making films and getting their work out there. “Sticky” has a great cast and a very interesting concept, but despite being advertised as a ‘dark comedic thriller,’ I don’t think it quite delivers on any of these elements.
One of the most impressive things about the film is its production. For an independent film with a presumably limited budget, it is amazingly well made and looks incredibly polished. The cast are also very good, and I particularly enjoyed the character exploration. I love films that focus on characters and their individual stories rather than following a strict plot, so I definitely appreciated that. The way all the characters’ stories eventually tie together was very satisfying.
However, I felt the film needed more. Watching people argue can be entertaining, but after a while it becomes quite tiring. The serial killer storyline also felt more like a sub-plot than a central part of the film. Given how crime-centered the story is, the surprisingly limited presence of the police felt strange. I would have loved to see the thriller elements explored much further.
The beginning was incredibly engaging and immediately caught my attention, which made my disappointment with the rest of the film all the more noticeable. I wish it had leaned further into being a thriller, as I think this would have made it much more entertaining. That being said, the ending was satisfying, and the final shot was AMAZING! I have a weakness for a great final shot, and this is definitely one of my favorite things about the film.
Overall, “Sticky” has great production, a strong cast, and a very cool idea, but I think a lot more could have been done with its plot. Although it wasn’t as entertaining as I had hoped, it is great to see an independent Irish film made with such care, and I look forward to seeing what Seanie Sugrue does next.
Now available on Digital
