Believing is deceiving.|Apr. 29, 2022|United States|96 Min.|R
Genre: Crime;Drama;Thriller
Description: The Aviary is a 2022 thriller that follows two women escaping an ominous cult in the New Mexican desert. Plagued by fear and paranoia, they struggle to shake the belief that their manipulative and charismatic leader is still pursuing them. Directed by Chris Cullari and Jennifer Raite, the film focuses more on psychological tension than deep character development.
The story begins with Jillian and Blair on the run, carrying a map they hope will guide them back to safety. Surprisingly, the two remain in relatively high spirits, engaging in casual conversations despite their harrowing ordeal. However, their journey takes a bizarre turn when they repeatedly circle back to the same landmark, despite moving in the opposite direction of civilization.
At night, both women experience disturbing visions or nightmares involving Seth, the cult leader, and his hypnotic methods known as “barrier therapy.” These encounters reveal more about the cult’s inner workings and the roles Jillian and Blair once played within its hierarchy.
The Aviary explores themes of fear, trauma, and the lingering effects of manipulation, creating a tense and surreal narrative as the women fight to truly free themselves.
Cast director: Chris Cullari
Cast actor: Malin Åkerman, Lorenza Izzo, Chris Messina, Sandrine Holt
Original name: The Aviary