Mosquito State Review: A Cinematic But Ultimately Unfulfilling Psychological Descent

Release date: August 26, 2021 Running time: 101 minutes Directed by Filip Jan Rymsza Written by Filip Jan Rymsza and Mario Zermeno Starring Beau Knapp, Charlotte Vega, Jack Kesy, Olivier Martinez

August 2007. Isolated in his austere penthouse overlooking Central Park, obsessive Wall Street data analyst Richard Boca (Beau Knapp) sees ominous patterns: His computer models are behaving erratically, as are the swarms of mosquitos breeding in his apartment, an infestation that attends his psychological meltdown. On Wall Street, they’re called “quants”—the intense data analysts whose mathematical prowess can make the difference between a fortune and a flop. Consumed with his work, Richard doesn’t often stray from his office or apartment. But when Richard decides to go to a company party, he makes two acquaintances: the mysterious, sylphlike Lena (Charlotte Vega) and one pesky mosquito, both of which take root in his mind, altering his existence in profound ways.

Mosquito State is an unsettling film and it starts from the introduction. The movie masterfully uses the birth cycle of a mosquito, but zoomed into a microscopic level to give it an otherworldly feel to it. The movie uses this to great effect to show just how strange the reproduction of these bugs are, but also to show the rapid nature of it. And the unsettling side of it doesn't just stop there, as seeing Richard (Knapp) slowly descend into madness was a chilling thing to watch.

But Mosquito State just doesn't seem to have much to say. First off, the main character is not likable in the least. He could have been a sympathetic character but they chose to make him just strange. He barely speaks (first words are 16 minutes into the movie) and also tends to treat people poorly. And his actions throughout the film just seem to defy logic. Maybe there is more explanation if you have experience in Wall Street or New York, but for those not versed in those subjects the film just seems weird to be weird. It doesn't give a good explanation for what Richard is trying to accomplish. He has statements and platitudes but they just seem random given we don't have much other context. And overall, because he is not a likable or sympathetic character, his descent into madness just feels so disconnected from everything around him. The film is well made and well acted but you have to ask will the audience appreciate this or just be confused. And unfortunately, I believe that for a lot of the audience (myself included), it will be the latter.

Mosquito State has an unsettling introduction and good performances, but the overall strange nature of the film and the lack of sympathy for the main character make this a film you'll want to swat away.

Pass on it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Mosquito State is available to stream on Shudder starting August 26, 2021.