As a genre, horror shines brightest when it approaches a story on many levels, delivering both scares and a thematic throughline. Written and directed by Alex Goyette, approaches the niche in this very manner, with the final product being a thought-provoking dissection of terror.

During a visit to an eccentric dog breeder, a broke college student soon discovers a dark secret. The film is led by Daniel Doheny, who is supported by Dot-Marie Jones, Maddie Phillips and Tanaya Beatty.

Breeder is a film that excels in its presentation of an uncomfortable situation that quickly turns nasty. On the surface, the plot is certainly intriguing (and paced well), but it is the societal commentary beneath which neatly ties the narrative together. Although the movie isn’t too scary, it’s not really trying to be a traditional horror piece, as the story can be better described as one that is more chilling than thrilling.

Thanks to Jaryl Lim’s cinematography, the film is a visual splendour that knows what to show and what to hide in an effort to make every shot count. Using the small budget to its advantage, Alex Goyette’s has pieced together a selection of sets that are simple yet effective. A few scenes near the end, in particular, dissolve the film into an almost dreamlike space. Such an eye for visual storytelling is the mark of a great filmmaker.

The film’s biggest flaw, and the one element which drags its quality down, is the performances from the cast. Almost everyone is exceedingly unnatural in their roles. Daniel Doheny needed more urgency in his character, especially near the end. As it stands, he is far less terrified than he should be. Dot-Marie Jones is well-cast due to her imposing physicality, but her weaknesses as a performer rear their head frequently, as well.

Breeder is an excellent exploration of societal norms through the lense of a horror narrative. Despite featuring many poor performances, its script, production quality and final act, wrap the film together to construct a final product worth experiencing.