“Mushrooms”

Simple. Suspenseful. Spiderwebs. There’s a disquieting chill in the air in Pawel Borowski’s “Mushrooms,” and uncomplicated and extremely effective mystery that peppers the audience with distrust and doubt. It’s a story that’s well told, albeit a bit leisurely, and your nerves will be shot long after the film’s stunning, abrupt ending.

The plot is as uncomplicated as it gets: an old lady is collecting mushrooms in the forest, where she stumbles upon a young couple who are dressed in strange 18th century garb. They certainly are out of place, and the old woman is rightfully wary. They’re theater performers who have been abandoned in the field as a prank after a night of drinking with friends, they claim. Their story both doesn’t add up but also makes sense, and the woman agrees to help them when she learns the girl has an injured leg.

That’s all the plot that you need to know going in, because the most satisfying element of the film is the sense that something isn’t right here. The story unfolds like a fairy tale with elements of horror and suspense, and Borowski creates a world where you can trust no one. Trying to decipher the smallest clues and approaching every word and action of both the old lady and the young couple will keep you guessing until the end, which packs an unpredictable punch. Who is telling the truth, and what is the end game?

“Mushrooms” is beautifully shot and directed, and its slow pace is forgiven due to its brief, 75 minute run time. This film is an emotional investment that toys with time, intentions, trust, perception, and manipulation in a way that’s unanticipated and rewarding.

By: Louisa Moore