April Wade & Lira Kellerman in 'Junction'

The dynamics of inter-family relationships can be as complicated as Stephen Hawking’s black hole theories or as annoying as an MTV-based reality show. Visiting certain relatives can sometimes be a Hanna-Barbera cartoon without a laugh track and wacky birds used as vacuums. Wilma is drunk again, hide the turtle dishwasher. Family time can be downright rough, especially during Thanksgiving, which in Neal Fradsham’s Junction, is all too applicable.

Wrought with psychosis, drugs and mommy issues, the story revolves around Michaela (April Wade), an aspiring photo-journalist complete with alcoholic mother (Cindy Hogan), her BFF goldfish Dorothy (yes, like a certain red furry monster in New York) and an ailing father in prison. But this isn’t Sesame Street, it’s a creepy mind-bender with tones of a classic psychological thriller. Haunting, Junction plays out like a Shakespearean play filled with family strife and a shocking level of deceit and psychosis with rich symbolism.

When Michaela learns that she has other half-siblings from her father, she’s tasked with obtaining two envelopes containing their identity. She discovers her sister Victoria (Lira Kellerman) and her boyfriend Shane (Edward Gusts) as she naively stalks them from afar. Victoria, like Michaela, is dealing with her own family issues as she takes care of her mother (Stephanie McVay) who suffers from a mental disability, while attending classes at a nearby university. Michaela, putting her photog skills to use, captures images of Victoria in an attempt to learn more about her life. The closer she gets, the more she enters a bizarre world with one jaw-dropping secret that unites them.

April Wade

April Wade, who produced the film and wrote the original screenplay with Lira Kellerman, gives a powerful performance. Gripping, authentic and thoughtful, Wade easily lays down the foundation for Junction’s character driven narrative with success. Kellerman’s aloof detachment given to her character Victoria also provides a subtle creepiness which is an unsettling treasure to watch.

Much like the many narcotics abused throughout the film, Junction is an addictive and chilling journey.

Add Junction to your Netflix queue and visit the official site.

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