Method is exactly the kind of low budget indie horror film that sneaks up on you with more personality than polish. The indie horror space has always been a haven for filmmakers with big ideas and very little money, and every so often someone emerges with a vision strong enough to cut through the noise. Chandler Balli might just be one of those filmmakers. Whether Method becomes a breakout hit remains to be seen, but it would not be surprising to see Balli’s name on a bigger screen one day.
Balli stars as Derek Ryan, an unhinged director who takes method acting to extremes that would make even the most committed performers sweat. Derek has assembled a new cast for the third instalment of his Tapeface trilogy, and they are about to learn that he will do absolutely anything to complete his masterpiece. Balli plays Derek as a pretentious oddball and a genuine artist at the same time, a man caught somewhere between inspiration and danger. It is a performance that makes you believe people might actually follow him to the ends of the earth.
Travis Lee Prine is equally compelling as Trevor, Derek’s friend and the film’s unofficial villain. Prine is such a chaotic delight that you could easily imagine an entire film centred on Trevor alone. The ensemble around them is fun to watch, each character getting a moment to shine even if you can see exactly where their journey is heading.
For a low budget indie, Method is surprisingly strong. The original score by Paranoia Critical feels like a calling card, full of energy and personality. Addison Chapman’s cinematography is consistently effective, making the most of limited resources. Having worked on modest productions myself, I am genuinely impressed by what Chapman achieves here.
The film carries the spirit of retro horror: weird, funny and impossible to forget. It has that scrappy charm that makes you root for it, the sense that you are watching filmmakers who care deeply about what they are doing. It is easy to imagine a future where Blumhouse knocks on Balli’s door and says, “Here is a little more money. Show us what you can do.”
Chandler Balli may be a little bit bonkers, but Method is a cinematic blast. It is the kind of indie horror you hope gets discovered.
