Choker (film)

Hud Masters (Paul Sloan) is recruited by a specialized agency to track and eliminate a viral alien race. He is partnered with Logan (Colleen Porch) to execute the mission, and pair must navigate a city-wide infestation to locate the alien leader (Hayley Dumond). throughout the operation, Masters struggles with internal conflict as he attempts to suppress his inherent violent tendencies and avoid reverting to his former nature.

The film was shot on locations in Los Angeles, California, and was completed over a twelve-day schedule. Notably, the roles of the "Leader" and the "Coroner" were originally played for male actors; however, they were ultimately recast and performed by actresses Haley Dumond and Katrina Law, respectively.^[1]

Summarize Fact Check

Critical reception for Disturbance (originally titled Choker) was divided, with reviewers often contrasting its high-end visual style against its low-budget constraints.^[1]

JoBlo provided a largely positive assessment, describing director Nick Vallelonga's work as a "colorful, stylishly shot, tightly paced and overall vibrant effort." The review commended film editor David Risotto for the film's "free flowing feel" and Harry Manfredini for an "exciting and pulse pounding" film score. The performances were also noted as highlight; the publication described Paul Sloan as "magnetic and convincing," Colleen Porch as delivering an "impeccable" emotional performance, and Hayley DuMond as providing the necessary "intensity, focus and menace." While noting that the fight choreography could have been improved, JoBlo concluded that the film was an "ingeniously written mish-mash of horror, action and Sci-Fi".^[1]

Conversely, DVD Reviews offered a more measured critique, characterizing the film as "standard stuff" that frequently relied on genre clichés. While the reviewer acknowledged that the "arresting visuals and a better-than-average cast" elevated the project above typical low-budget fare, they argued the film remained "immersed in triteness." The publication specifically criticized the action sequences and fight choreography as "substandard" and suggested that "pretentious visual manipulation" hindered several scenes. Ultimately, the review concluded that despite the "visual splendor and appealing performers," the film failed to transcend its "direct-to-video status."^[2]

Film Critics United remarked on the film's thematic uniqueness, specifically noting the "unambitious" nature of the alien protagonists who sought survival rather than world domination. The reviewer observed that although the story was "a bit derivative," Vallelonga's commitment to the project and his casting of Paul Sloan brought "a little extra to the table." Despite noting that the production was rough around the edges," the publication found the film possessed a "certain amount of charm" and evident creative effort.^[3]

Chad Clinton Freeman, writing for PollyStaffle.com, evaluated the film as a successful example of low-budget film. Freeman highlighted the "great audio and visuals" and the film's noir-inspired atmosphere. He argued that the lack of traditional hero and the refusal to adhere to a single subgenera were effective, intentional choices by Vallelonga. Freeman's analysis concluded that the film's strength lay in its ensemble nature and the director's "subtle references to other films.^[4]

The film screened at various film festivals in 2005 before being picked up by MTI Home Video for release in 2006, when it was released on DVD in the United States under the title Disturbance and in the United Kingdom as B.E.I.N.G..^[2]