The story is relatively straight forward. Grayson isa new and upcoming artist who has recently broken up with his boyfriend after he cheated on him. Tasked with creating new pieces to sell by his agent Wendy, he decides to come to a country cabin far away from the city. In the cabin he feels like he is being watched and one night he finds a lady bug on himself so he sets it free. Noticing that cabin requires some repairs, he calls in for. Handyman and next day Sawyer shows up. He is a good looking lad and they both sort of flirt with one another while Sawyer fixes up stuff. Turns out Sawyer is also a budding painter and knows a lot about art. Sawyer offers himself to be painted nude. Grayson realizes that somehow every night het gets dizzy and next morning wakes up to a completed painting. He starts suspecting Sawyer who eventually confides in him that he is a ghost and shares his story of how he was lured by a man many years back and was killed. Maybe the guy was a homophobic serial killer. Sawyer needs revenge and it is through Grayson he can finally get that done.
The film is well acted slow-burner that cleverly blends its LGBTQ+ romance with thriller and horror elements, yet fails to stick the landing due to lacking a true message and becoming too convoluted in its ending. The ending is truly disappointing with suddenly things becoming a mess. Sure, I like how Grayson eventually traps the serial killer and brings him back to the cabin where he, possessed by Sawyer, and help of Wendy kills the killer but what really is the ending when the ghost says that "This is not Grayson". The movies utilizes slow eerie burn to create the tension. Even with the romance speaking between two men, something seems off and thats a win. Sawyer comes and goes as he pleases, unannounced, enters without knocking, and is almost too good to be true for Grayson. The feeling of isolation and remoteness leaps off the screen with the lonely cabin. So yes, in terms of the environment, it's a win. The two actors do a great job of portraying their roles and are good looking too, especially guy playing Sawyer. The films goes more horror towards the end by the finale leaves you with more questions than answers. Why was Sawyer showing Grayson where his body is, how and why was Sawyer's sister killed, who had been lurking in the shadows, how is the killer still same age as he was 30 years ago when he killed Sawyer etc etc. When the storyline is simpler and more direct and cohesive, 'Ladybug' is overall a better film. It has unique and exciting ideas, but perhaps tackles too much. (5.5/10)
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