Running Time: 103 Minutes
Starring: Elsa Ames, Alexander McPherson, Audrey Deitz, Jeremy Fogt, Hunter Gehman, Cody Carwile, John Wilkins III, Chris Nelson
Making his feature debut, writer/director Codey S. Wilson delivers quite the first impression with Lesions. Viewers are introduced to Houston (Alexander McPherson) and Lise (Elsa Ames), a once-married couple who are currently in the process of a messy divorce. Despite any lingering resentments, they are ready to travel together for a funeral, but the plans are thrown into disarray when Houston collapses. He is soon diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which leaves the separated couple worrying about the future.
As the lesions on his brain indicate that full-time care will be needed, Houston decides to accept an experimental treatment from a neurologist. He and Lise retreat to his grandfather's cabin for rest and recovery, where his condition deteriorates while his wife struggles to care for him. However, one of Lise's social media accounts catches the attention of some unsavoury figures. Before you can say "Houston, we have a problem", the ex-couple soon experience a night of violence and transformation.
Aging and sickness are normally large enough troubles to experience, but these worries are compounded here by the former couple's separation. Despite their recent issues, there is genuine care and love between this pair as they face this diagnosis with a united front. But it remains a difficult time for Houston, who is feeling increasingly helpless following his diagnosis. As he is told that using a wheelchair will be an eventuality, and a foreboding voicemail brings worries about his job, he finds it hard to open up while this body horror experience makes him lose control of his life.
Helping him throughout, Lise is adamant to care for her husband while finding it difficult. She does not wish to abandon him during this massive change, but it does become tiresome how Houston struggles to take preventative measures. Credit is deserved to Elsa Ames and Alexander McPherson, who exceptionally bring their characters alive and sell their rocky relationship. The performances ensure that the character's history of shared joy and hurt is felt, leaving one to hope they can work through things. As it turns out, this warm and tender depiction is a contrast to what comes after.
Then comes the nasty home invasion element, which involves masked antagonists whose identities and motives are a mystery. What information we are given seems to indicate social media playing a part in their selection process, while inflicting brutal torment seems to be their idea of fun. This feeds into a simple idea of anybody being a potential victim for such cruelty, aided by the physicality of the masked actors, which makes for a better reimagining of The Strangers than what Renny Harlin did across his trilogy.
It all comes alive with a gorgeous visual style, creating an artistic representation of the head space the central characters are in. It can be as simple as fond memories being looked back on with neon lighting and wistful music, or have a transformation resemble an unholy cross between an x-ray machine and Tetsuo: The Iron Man. This especially works when the torment becomes less one-sided, with it being satisfying to see the tables turned on the aggressors. It is also noteworthy how this film gives spine-ripping action that the Mortal Kombat films have not yet adapted.
There are certainly many elements to this film, and what helps them come together is a deft handling from director Codey S. Wilson. It resembles an impressive vision which has been long gestating, and now is finally ready to be unleashed upon viewers. This is especially noticeable during a climactic moment, as a striking image shows a prominent character wielding chains while atop a lawnmower, with red smoke billowing around. The image looks like an angel of vengeance atop a steed, ready to unleash some much needed bloodshed. It sticks in the memory, and is as impressive as the included dance number which does not interrupt the flow or tension of the surrounding scenes. It all makes for a fantastic debut with Lesions, a hybrid of emotional relationship drama, home invasion terror, and transformative destruction amidst undying love. What could be more romantic than that?
Lesions made its International Premiere at FrightFest 2026
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