It’s Not Just Out to Scare You: "The Torturer", New Thriller Starring Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura, Star Trek)

But scare you it will.  "The Torturer" is not straight horror, nor is it yet another popcorn thriller.  It is horrific terror, a modern film-noir nightmare that just might grab you while you’re safe in bed, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Watch out. This film packs a hefty emotional punch, plenty of plot twists, and a true shocker ending.

That the film is billed as a political thriller, with the emphasis on thriller, appears to be a fairly accurate assessment. The gruesome violence in "The Torturer" is not gratuitous,  nor overdone, as is the violence in some other recent shockers.  Even so, 'fear-up-harsh', sexual humiliation, and other ‘creative’ interrogation techniques play their part in The Torturer, along with a terse message that many will laud, and others may decry.  But in light of the recent tragedies we see playing out with our troops, it may be one that needs repeating--if only to keep us safe from the terror

The dialogue is crisp, and the three principal actors, Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhuru in Star Trek), Andrew Walker (Steel Toes), and Mahsa Masoudi (a newcomer to be reckoned with), all give engaging and complex performances.

Nichelle Nichols, when asked why she became involved in The Torturer, stated that she does not ordinarily take on unsolicited scripts.  We can be grateful that she made an exception for The Torturer.  She found the script to be so authentic and well-crafted that she agreed to play the moving and emotional role of the psychiatrist, Dr. Colleen Darnell.  She has described this role as her best since Lt. Uhura, in a film career spanning decades and many, many projects.

Andrew Walker gives a dynamic performance as Rick Sanchez, an interrogator suffering from acute PTSD.  The lovely Mahsa Masoudi plays Ayeesha B in an fresh and unusual approach.

There is a new paradigm in film making taking place these days—and The Torturer is at or near the top of that list.  This is a new breed of films that work from the bottom up, like the recently released Paranormal Activity.  These are independent films made by the sweat and courage of dedicated people.  The Torturer falls into this new category and it does not disappoint.

If you like to be shocked, scared, and perplexed, check out this daring new indie thriller.  And prepare to be afraid.  The Torturer will come after you when you least expect it.

Links to the website and a wicked trailer at http://www.thetorturer.com.  Available at AMAZON: http://bit.ly/TorturerAmazon2.  Demand It! at  http://bit.ly/TorturerDemandit