'Soul to Squeeze' Review: The Indie Psychological Thriller You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Romey Norton
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - July 7, 2025
What is 'Soul to Squeeze' about?
Soul to Squeeze is a bold and mind-bending indie psychological thriller that explores trauma, perception, and identity through a deeply immersive lens. Directed by W.M. Weikart, the film follows Jacob, a man plagued by emotional instability, who agrees to take part in an experimental treatment designed to confront his inner demons head-on.
What begins as a controlled therapy session inside a remote house quickly unravels into something far more intense and surreal. As Jacob’s grip on reality weakens, the walls around him, both literal and psychological, start to collapse. Flashbacks, hallucinations, and strange visitors blur the line between memory and illusion, pushing him toward a breaking point where healing and madness intersect. It’s a wacky, wild ride, but one totally worth taking.
The film starts with a man cutting meat, with cuts to learning how the eye works and sees images. It’s weirdly uncomfortable, and that sets the tone for the whole film. Throughout the film, each detail is loaded with tension and unease. A lot goes against the norm and pushes those artistic boundaries, which viewers will either love or hate.
The rhythm is all over the place, which is on purpose, to help you feel disjointed and out of control like the lead. Try to settle in because the acting and directing are great in this weirdly wonderful film.
Michael Thomas Santos delivers a standout performance as Jacob. His portrayal is raw and vulnerable, capturing the confusion and fear of someone trapped in his spiralling thoughts. He does well in making everything appear ‘normal’ to him, so you go along as a viewer. The supporting actors all do a convincing job, and their commitment to their characters is admirable.
As an indie film, the settings are simple but used effectively. The house, which is a colourful 1960s style, becomes a shifting maze of memory and metaphor, filled with visual cues. The whole house feels like it could be an immersive theatre experience - like a Punchdrunk performance, where the story is told in multiple rooms and you wander around trying to piece it together. In this film, there’s a section where it’s as if Jacob is in a game show, he then follows a ball of light around the house when it's made out of cardboard, finds a pearl-eating mermaid, and television screens representing a face that’s trying to educate and inspire him (I think).
The ending is just as quirky and uncomfortable as the start with a nice little twist thrown in. But some viewers may be left wanting more answers about the protagonist’s mental state, how he got there, and why. While the film won’t appeal to everyone, especially viewers looking for a traditional plot or clear-cut resolution, its strength lies in its commitment to mood and theme. I appreciate its willingness to take creative risks and disturb the normal rules of storytelling. As Jacob’s mind unravels, we unravel with it, and you’ll either love this ride or hate it.
Is 'Soul to Squeeze' worth watching?
For fans of slow-burn psychological horrors, Soul to Squeeze is absolutely worth watching. The film builds a creeping sense of dread through atmosphere, character-driven storytelling, and inventive cinematography. It’s a smart and daring piece of indie cinema that rewards viewers who are willing to let go.
'Soul to Squeeze' releases on Amazon Prime July 10
For more original reviews of bold indie films, psychological dramas, and genre-bending thrillers, head over to Film Focus Online, where great storytelling gets the spotlight it deserves.
