Chandler Balli may be just a little bit bonkers. 

Method is the kind of low-budget indie horror flick you can't help but love. It's no secret that the indie horror genre lends itself rather easily to the world of the "big dreams with little dough" filmmaker. While I wouldn't quite say it happens often, it happens often enough that some young filmmaker with more talent than dough pops up with an original vision and a kicka** film that turns into an unexpected multiplex hit. 

I have no idea if that same fate awaits Method, but I sure wouldn't be surprised if one of these days I spy Balli's name up on the big screen. 

In Method, an unhinged director, perfectly played by Balli himself, takes method acting to the extreme. That director, Derek Ryan, has assembled a new cast for the third installment of his Tapeface trilogy. The cast is going to find out that Derek is willing to do whatever it takes to finish his masterpiece. 

Balli's an unhinged masterblast as Derek, both a pretentious weirdo and a serious artist. He's caught somewhere between magic and mayhem, and Balli does a nice job of making us believe that these folks would him to the ends of the worlds. Travis Lee Prine is a similar super trip as Trevor, Derek's friend and the film's baddie of sorts. I could easily watch a film centered around nothing but Prine's Trevor. 

Method is surprisingly strong for a low-budget indie effort. The original score by Paranoia Critical is practically a calling card for them. Lensing by Addison Chapman is sublimely effective throughout. Having just worked on a modestly budgeted documentary myself, I'm kind of in awe of what Chapman is able to accomplish here. 

Balli's ensemble is a lot of fun to watch. It seems like each character has a moment to shine, though for most of them you know exactly where it's going to take them. Method feels like some of those retro-horror films I've always loved, a little weird and a little funny and nearly impossible to forget. This is the kind of film you hope gets discovered, and I can't help but think that one of these days Blumhouse is going to be knocking on Balli's door saying "Here's a little more money. Let's see what you can do." 

Chandler Balli may just be a little bit bonkers, but Method is a cinematic blast. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic