"Still Ohio:" The New Indie Horror Darling Around the Corner

We all know what it's like to feel trapped. Maybe you've been on an elevator that broke down or squished between people on a crowded subway car, even if it's just for a few seconds, being stuck in one place is never a comfortable feeling. Even worse however, is being trapped mentally or emotionally in a situation of your own making. For Kaylin Allshouse's Still Ohio, that snare takes the form of a dying relationship that manifests in the form of something much more sinister...

Still Ohio is the debut feature film of Kaylin Allshouse, an Ohio native and directing fellow of the American Film Institute, she served as director, writer, and producer on the project. An innovative horror film, the story centers around college student, Ana. Desperate to salvage her relationship with her disinterested boyfriend, she embarks on a cross country road trip with three of his classmates, only to find themselves trapped in a haunting time loop where each stop at a lonely Ohio gas station grows more terrifying than the last. The film stars Fernanda Lopez, Michael Zapesotsky, Sofia Angelopoulos, and Jake Melamed.

Still Ohio premiered back in July at the Maine International Film Festival where it won the Audience Choice award, screening at three other festivals since with six more lined up into October. The film will be a surefire hit for any fans of classic horror, Scooby-Doo, Twin Peaks, or indie video games like Life is Strange and Oxenfree.

Still Ohio is a riveting film to watch develop over time. As the loop goes on, things get increasingly more uncanny, from the gas station itself to the fellow customers. The attention to detail from the production design to the costumes are nothing short of impressive. It's hard to keep a film interesting when it mostly takes place in only two location but Allshouse and company did the near-impossible with their whip-smart, constantly evolving script and characters. It's fascinating to see how this group of people who barely know each other interact and develop in this unthinkable situation. And with a brisk runtime of 78 minutes, the film never drags on too long or loses its audience. Simply put, Still Ohio is a cult classic waiting to happen.

While Still Ohio is undeniably a horror movie, it doesn't rely on jump scares or cliché themes. At its core this is a film about being young, naïve, and trying to make something work that's just not meant to be. The whole reason Ana embarked on this supernatural road trip in the first place was to transfer to her boyfriend's college and hopefully save their deteriorating relationship. As the film develops, she gains not only self respect, but the courage to save herself. While none of us have or will ever experience a time loop, losing yourself to a dying relationship is a very real threat that both grounds the film and pushes it beyond being an average horror flick.

It has always been filmmaker, Kaylin Allshouse's ambition to bring her home state to the big screen. According to her, "Ohio will always hold a huge place in my heart, especially the drives I’ve taken through the rolling hills of the state but most importantly the people, when I land back in Columbus I breath a sigh of relief of being around people from the Midwest. I never felt trapped but I always felt called back to Ohio. I know there’s a big world out there but I bring Ohio to every aspect of it!" While her debut feature ended up being a horror movie, there is still a palpable sense of admiration for her humble home.

While being an impressive first feature, Still Ohio ultimately feels like a labor of love for all involved in bringing it to life. It will be screening at Delaware's HorrorFest, Los Angeles' ScreamFest and the Buffalo International Film Festival later this year. So buy tickets, bring your friends, and enjoy the ride!