Her Name Was Christa – Taking Agoraphobia To A Whole New Level – A Fitz of Horror Review

Synopsis- Stephen is a socially awkward, middle aged telemarketer and is desperately alone. At the suggestion of a co-worker, he goes out into the night to find a prostitute for “The Girlfriend Experience”. With this, he meets Christa, a streetwise call girl who’s happy to fulfill his needs. Yet something unexpected happens. What starts as a business agreement blossoms into true love. But what happens when death enters the picture? How far would you go to keep the one person you’ve always wanted?

Welcome to South West Akron, Ohio and its surrounding suburbs. This area is like a midlife crisis suffering insomniac but somehow makes it to work everyday at 8 a.m., albeit with heavy bags under their eyes. Whereas Cleveland re-entered a cocoon and found itself reborn, this area seems to be somewhere long passed imago and not quite looking to reset. Likewise, ‘Her Name Was Christa’ is the story of a man, Stephen (played by Writer & Director James L. Edwards of ‘First Date’, ‘Bloodletting’), who is trudging forward after the loss of his wife. He makes acquaintance with Nick (Drew Fortier of ‘Dwellers’ & ‘Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie’), who immediately notices Stephen is lacking companionship and urges him to get back in the game. Although he means well, Nick gives advice that sends Stephen down a road for which there’s no return…the road of undying love.

Stephen, a telemarketer, is rolling snake eyes with on-line dating. Perhaps it’s because he’s not much of a catch but is reaching for the stars when it comes to his potential takers. The younger, witty and out-going Nick suggests Stephen try to get back on the horse via easier…but costly methods (hiring a prostitute). Stephen tries with an attractive but impatient hustler of a prostitute named Raven (played by Kaylee Williams; ‘The Lashman’ & ‘Mrs. Claus’) but his head just isn’t in the game (double entendre intended). Later, Nick suggests trying “The Girlfriend Experience” or, in layman’s terms, frequently hiring an escort who is willing to roleplay. This works out better for Stephen and what ails him. He meets Candy (Shianne Daye; ‘First Date’), and the two begin the “experience”. This film is early in its go-to-market, so we won’t go into the symbolism, details of the conflict and any resolution but we feel it’s safe to point out a glaring detail in the title…the word “WAS”. As you might expect, this verb…in this case, is grim. How it gets to be grim, you have to see for yourself. It is a heartbreaking shift followed by a series of bizarre, sick and grotesque events. 

James L. Edwards as Stephen in ‘Her Name Was Christa’

A lot of people see a two hour run-time on film and run for the hills…I’ve never been one of those people who get discouraged [simply] by a timestamp. I love a good story, when I read or see one, and if good enough I find myself dreading the end of it. ‘Her Name Was Christa’ is a spectacularly developed story that keeps you engaged while getting you emotionally attached to its characters. That, along with superb acting from the aforementioned (Edwards transformation from what he looks like in real life, wow) and I need to also mention Rick Jermain with the others, are absolutely critical to keep viewers going for two hours. This film will toy with your emotions and expectations (“is this even a horror?”) and then gut punch you. I went from laughter, hope, joy, immense sadness, disgust to hopelessness. This is as complicated and dynamic of a journey if there ever was one. I don’t think I’ve ever been on such a hellish rollercoaster of a film. Complete emotional larceny.

Here’s the trailer:

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