“You lose control sometimes.”
Opening with some gorgeous cinematography from Scott McIntyre, a plane flies across the ocean and over the camera’s view in Do Not Disturb’s first few seconds and then, as Chloe looks at Jack, her passed out husband, in a taxi on their way to the hotel room, we witness the dissatisfaction as it spreads across her face, merely hinting at the unexpected drama to come.
Interspersed in all of this are some sped-up traffic shots and soon, we are in the thick of Do Not Disturb’s psychedelic fun (read as horror) as a failed marriage turns to cannibalism. Yummo!
Written and directed by John Ainslie (The Sublet), one trip to Miami turns on its head as this couple - already cracking at the seams from different needs and wants - tries an interesting way to strengthen their relationship at an adults only resort. Full of solid performances from Rogan Christopher and Kimberly Laferriere, Do Not Disturb definitely does not disappoint when it comes to the horror department, turning their toxic relationship into a drug-fueled nightmare of endless lust, raw steaks, and . . . cannibalism.
But none of this solves their relationship issues. Disturbing to its core and completely authentic in its roll out of some very topical issues, Do Not Disturb cranks the chaos to a 12 and gives audiences a horror film with teeth. 
The film is a wild ride through one messed up relationship. Wonderfully written and performed, Do Not Disturb leans in on the demented fun and takes a bite out of marriage with a wink and a nod and a whole lot of blood, commenting on it as a feast and a famine. It is both dark and disorienting as Chloe, slowly taking bites out of Jack along the way to an endless hunger for meat, realizes the only way out for her is through him. And I mean that quite literally.
Do Not Disturb, from Dark Star Pictures, hits the big and small screens after receiving raves on the genre festival circuit including screenings at Popcorn Frights, Screamfest LA, Atlanta Horror Fest and more. And it is all deserved. Every moment works here to create something absolutely unforgettable as one couple’s fun in Miami becomes buckets of nightmare fuel.
Do Not Disturb, co-starring Janet Porter, Christian McKennam, is now in theaters and on VOD. Dig in!
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 92 mins
Director: John Ainslie
Writer: John Ainslie
Cast: Kimberly Laferriere; Rogan Christopher; Janet Porter
Genre: Horror
Tagline: Love is all consuming
Memorable Movie Quote: "Should we turn ourselves in?"
Distributor: Dark Star Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date: November 21, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Love is all consuming in this narcotic nightmare crafted by writer/director John Ainslie. Do Not Disturb is a psychedelic exploration of love, lust and carnal desire.
