INTERIOR Review (from PÖFF 29)

(This review originally appeared in its entirety on scenethatreviews.com)

Who's ready for some reviews from the 29th PÖFF | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival! First up, from the “First Feature Competition”, comes… Interior (2025).

As we first meet Kasimir (Daniil Kremkin), he’s climbing out of a couch with a camcorder, while wearing nothing but underwear and socks. As he emerges from the department within the couch, he makes his way upstairs where he takes the camcorder and films a man walking up towards the house. The man is Dr. Liebermann (Knut Berger) and he and Kasimir have a living arrangement of sorts.

The two prepare an identical dinner of fish sticks, peas, and mashed potatoes. A Polaroid photograph of the meal is taken and labeled before the two sit down with their meals to watch a recording. The recording is of Kasimir, setting up a camera in someone’s house and then hiding in a closet under the stairs.

While we continue to watch the recording, we see a series of events unfold. The home appears to belong to an older woman. She has family over to visit and before the visit is over, the daughter settles the older woman into her chairlift prior to leaving. Once the daughter leaves, the older woman begins her ascent up the stairs. Except, she only makes it about a third of the way up. The lift malfunctions, leaving her stranded there until, as she says, the mailman comes.

The recording continues, capturing night turning into day turning into night. We see Kasimir struggling to stay in the shadows despite knowing the woman is in need of assistance. However, he does make brief contact with her while she’s stuck on the stairs. At the conclusion of the recording, Dr. Libermann labels it and files it on a shelf under “desperation”.

Dr. Liebermann later explains to Kasimir that he must avoid any intervention with the filmed subjects, as it will distort the data collected. Kasimir, though, tries to convey that he has feelings too and watching someone in need takes a toll on him.

Later, the two are planning where Kasimir will visit next. While focusing on not overexposing themselves to one area, Kasimir suggests the suburbs. After deciding on a target, the plan is put into motion.

So how exactly does Kasimir get inside?

Well, he is already in the couch as it leaves Dr. Liebermann’s residence. Two men posing as furniture deliverymen will approach a neighbor’s house and explain that they have a delivery. The neighbor almost always has a key in order to collect mail, feed a pet, etc., so they let the deliverymen in, they set up the couch in the living room, and Kasimir does his thing.

But as each visit begins to weigh on Kasimir, how much longer can he stay uninvolved while filming unsuspecting subjects?

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From the first moments we see Kasimir emerge from the couch, there’s a level of unease and anxiety present in Interior (2025). It stays present throughout, the level of intensity being the only thing that varies.

If you can get on board with that, you’re in for a treat.

Right away we notice the power dynamic at play between the submissive Kasimir and the dominant Dr. Liebermann. The relationship isn’t sexual in nature though. No, their pleasure comes from their routine. The act of getting Kasimir into the house, having him observe and monitor, then studying the recordings over their carefully portioned meals. For Kasimir, it is the ability to feel closer to another human being. Meanwhile, for the doctor, it’s about gathering data and studying the human emotions.

That alone would make for an interesting watch, but Pascal Schuh doesn’t stop there. On top of the complex relationship, we have the voyeuristic element of it all as well. As the audience, we watch them watch these unsuspecting individuals in their most vulnerable moments. This works to further instill those feelings of anxiety and unease.

What serves as a testament to the writing in Interior (2025) is the fact that there is hardly any dialogue. Not only is it layered and nuanced but you are captivated as a voyeur yourself. Watching the intentions, motivations, and actions of both Kasimir and Dr. Liebermann, remaining absolutely captivated throughout.

One thing is for sure, Pascal Schuh certainly came out swinging with Interior (2025). He’s now on my radar and I look forward to what he does next.

Definitely put this one on your watchlist.

🍿 SCORE = 89 / 100