Once viewed as a low-brow form of entertainment, horror movies have become prevalent and profitable enough that some films now brand themselves as such primarily for commercial gain. This seems to be the case with the movie "Rounding," an engaging, eerie psychological thriller, starring Namir Smallwood as a medical resident undergoing a mental breakdown in a new hospital setting. The film intertwines horror elements gratuitously into a complex narrative, all squeezed into just 90 minutes.
Directed by Alex Thompson, the narrative unfolds with Dr. James Hayman (played by Smallwood) as a seriously committed recent med school graduate working at a high-profile facility. When an elderly terminally ill patient he has grown close to requests to end her life, and later changes her mind too late, he suffers a mental breakdown. Though not fully recovered, he insists on a new assignment which takes him to a less stressful midwestern healthcare institution.
Here, his struggle with patient interactions due to his trauma-induced stiffness lands him in an acting class to improve his communication with patients. However, his focus soon shifts to the odd case of young Helen Adso, whose mother he suspects of inducing unnecessary medical emergencies for twisted, unknown reasons. His insubordinate detective work, coupled with the clear neglect of his personal health, starts to raise eyebrows.
While the plot is handled adeptly by the director, it suffers from an overcrowded script. James' character, despite Smallwood's spirited portrayal, begs for a more thorough backstory. His escalating irrational behavior, coupled with an unrealistic lack of intervention from the hospital staff, muddles the storyline. Introducing sightings of a spooky creature feels excessive against the backdrop of the protagonist's already somewhat unfathomable mental problems.
The plot's resolution feels rushed, leaving several themes insufficiently explored and leaving audiences with a sense of superficiality. Despite its moment-to-moment appeal, accompanied by evocative cinematography and an expressive original score, the film's climax and after-the-fact resolution do not satisfy the build-up's potential. Ultimately, 'Rounding' serves to remind audiences that not all ideas, even in the realm of horror, require exploration, and sometimes, less is more.
