User Reviews

"Toxic Impulses" begins with a bang and keeps the viewer intrigued with a compelling plot, dramatic irony, and a great ensemble cast. Director Kyle Schadt has crafted a fun neo noir thriller and succeeds where others have failed. Kyle effectively utilizes voice overs throughout the film, and they work - they do not interfere with the story or the action. In addition, it is clear that Kyle provided clear direction to his cast as they all provide excellent performances. Kudos to Director of Photography Jordan Rennert - the lighting and shots in this film are excellent. Overall, everything works well in this film and it had me guessing until the unexpected climax.

Toxic Impulses is a story about choices and consequences with crime, deceit, murder, secret addictions, and dark quests for redemption all mixed into one bag and man, is it a full bag! There are a lot of different things going on in this story and if you blink you will miss it. It is well paced and keeps the viewer hooked right from the start. The voice overs were a nice touch as they helped to push the narrative without dumbing everything down. I just hate it when a movie goes to great lengths to explain something because they are afraid the audience won't get it. If you are looking for something to watch that is full of dark and dangerous thriller on the contemporary side then Toxic Impulses is right up your alley. I give it two thumbs up.

A low-budget film noir/thriller set in modern-day Los Angeles. Our hero Peter Mosley (Benedikt Sebastian) falls for girl-next-door femme fatale Zemira (the talented Olivia Buckle). Mosley lacks the smarts to grasp that Zemira may be using him. The main plot revolves around a series of high-stakes bank heists that a team is executing. Our girl is caught in the middle of things. Elements of crime, deceit, murder, secret addictions, and the quest for redemption are sprinkled throughout. A lot of bad-guy thugs with guns. The tension/suspense is first-rate. Great music score. It's a stylized thriller where the lead guy isn't too smart -- but that's often a key element in a good noir film.

I really enjoyed this gritty and clever indie thriller. Visually seductive with a pulsing heart thumping score, the story grabs you right from the start and doesn't let go. The film offers all the expected neo-noir components, but once set up, the twists and turns keep coming, keeping you guessing right to the end. The cinematography is beautiful, creating the perfect moody tone. Solid performances all around, especially from the Femme Fatale Olivia Buckle, who delivers a nuanced powerful performance, never letting on where her true alliances lie. It's a great intense ride! I highly recommend!

Hey, just caught Toxic Impulses last night. This indie flick is a real hidden gem. I gotta say, Schadt's vision shines through in every frame, proving you don't need a big Hollywood budget to make a compelling thriller. I'm a sucker for a good thriller, and this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Visually, the film surprised me. The visuals captured the essence of the story beautifully. The soundtrack was top notch as well, really bringing you into a vibe! I also surprisingly appreciated the use of voice over and I usually don't!

Sure, being an indie film, it has its rough edges, but that's part of the charmToxic Impulses is proof that you don't need a big studio backing to create something impactful. If you're into indie films that pack a punch, give Toxic Impulses a shot. It's a refreshing break from the mainstream.

Very impressive film for an independent movie. Particularly the soundtrack, which blew me away from start to finish with its effectiveness - the music is catchy when it needs to be. The cinematography is also very good, and the editing perfect in my opinion. The acting is also commendable, especially Benedikt Sebastien (Mosley), Olivia Buckle (Zemira), Helene Udy (Liz) and Sara Elizabeth Ryan (Keisha). I confess that the story didn't transcend me, but the technical quality is there. The positive note at the end stands out from the rest of the story, but I think it does a lot of good. Bravo to all the team for this impressive work!

This moody crime drama, which is pretty dark at times, is an edgy thrill ride with great performances all around.

I especially loved the bank robbery sequences which had me on the edge of my seat. I also really loved the musical score which added to the thrilling sequences perfectly. Benedikt Sebastian delivered a stand out performance as did the whole cast. The writer/director/editors voice is clear to see and marks Kyle Schadt as a talent to keep an eye on in the future. Kyle managed to keep a constant tone throughout the whole movie while handling the suspense and action perfectly. Bravo!!

I have plenty of great things to say about this film. It was clear to me that the filmmakers made a movie that looked far more expensive than their actual budget.

I absolutely loved Olivia Buckle in this film - she shined in every scene she was in.

Indie films often have two problems - sound quality and poor lighting. Toxic Impulses conquered both of those problems. There was a scene right next to the ocean, and it is NOT easy to get good sound next to water with waves. And the lighting throughout....the gaffer deserves praise for this film.

Give it a watch. It's a fun trip. I enjoyed this one.

Toxic Impulses is a tight, spare well-paced movie that pays homage to the rich LA private eye genre. It has all the key characters: Mosley (Benedikt Sebastian) a dissolute and world-weary ex-detective, a hardened, cynical killer, Boyd (Robert Akerman Moss) and a doomed Femme Fatale, Zamira (Olivia Buckle) who form a core triangle at the center of the story which swirls around the canyons and alleyways of downtown LA in a spiral of hard drugs, lethal violence, and armed robbery. I liked that director Kyle Schadt, who also wrote and edited it, left just enough room outside the plot for unexpected but welcome digressions in dialogue and action which added dimensionality and depth to the characters, including the supporting players, led by Mosley's jaded but good-hearted neighbor, Liz (Helene Udy), Zamira's stand-up ex James (Jay Habre), and, Keisha (Sara Elizabeth Ryan) a quirky bookseller who doesn't like to read. Watch this movie!

From the opening bang to the unpredictable climax, Toxic Impulses kept me glued to the film. The ensemble cast deliver compelling and believable performances that keep the plot constantly moving forward. The voice overs, a Noir convention that can be problematic if overused or misplaced, work flawlessly in Toxic Impulses. They provide just enough insight into the characters and plot to keep the film driving forward, without being overused or giving away too much. The cinematography is top notch, with natural lighting that isn't overly stylized or distracting from the plot and characters. Rate this film a 10 and encourage everyone to give it a watch!

This fun ride of a film grabs you out of the gate and doesn't let go. I enjoyed this gem of a film from beginning to end which is not easy to do. This thriller will suck you in and keep you engaged throughout the ride. The acting, the storyline and how the film was shot were all spot on. I thought all the actors were just terrific! I particularly enjoyed the lead actors. I thought they were really good. They all did a splendid job. Hats off to the cinematographer. This film was well shot which isn't alway's the case for indie films. I clearly give this film a big thumbs up! Also, my wife enjoy it which says a lot!!

Toxic Impulses grabs right a hold of you right from the start. It is a fantastic neo-noir thriller. This movie pulled me right in right from the start and kept right a hold of me until the end. This movie is so well shot that it adds another exciting layer to this already incredible movie. The cast is absolutely phenomenal and work so well together, making this story that much more believable. This was such a fun movie to watch. I loved all the unexpected twists and turn that seem to be around every corner. This is a must watch movie if you love noir. So grab your bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show, I know I did.

Reminiscent of the film Drive - TOXIC IMPULSES is a very stylish neo-noir thriller set in Los Angeles. The film is visually stunning, with plenty of saturated cityscape shots and shadowy night scenes. Story wise, it grips you right out of the gate and does a great job on keeping the foot on the gas I enjoyed the use of narration in the film, it gave a true noir vibe without every feeling over the top. With twists you won't see coming and a layered and palpable score, this is a thriller that will get you excited. One scene in particular, involving a bank teller was absolutely gripping and a great example of how to ratchet up tension.

This indie thriller will keep you guessing to the end! The filmmakers did an awesome job! The production values were quite high for a budget indie film. I was also very impressed with how well casted the film was. They were very believable! The story also kept me interested the entire time! Typically these indie films drag or are poorly paced but this one was not. Everything in this film just works.

I especially liked the use of voice overs in the film. I think it helped push the narative without shoving information down your thought.

Definitely worth your time. A big two thumbs up! Recommended!

Without giving away any spoilers whatsoever... This movie is a roller coaster in terms of what fulfilling expectations. For an indie film, it must be said that there are some seriously high quality shots littered throughout which demonstrate a lot of flare behind the camera. A few technical things could be improved upon such as consistency with the lighting, but it gives this film more of a cult charm to it than something that takes itself too seriously which I loved. Some great acting in there with the more intense scenes too. Overall the story kept my attention and wanting to find out what happens, with a good ending to boot!

Tense police thriller written and directed by Kyle Schadt. A disgraced ex-cop is enlisted to help protect a neighbor in need and ends up getting in over his head. This low budget indie is well worth the watch! I was impressed with the script and the cinematography as you will see this was shot on a low budget but todays filmmakers can make do with less and really deliver on quality without having to have millions of dollars in budget. While you won't be getting the latest Denzel Washington thriller with all the bells and whistles what you will get is a well-crafted and well made indie film that is well worth the watch.

OK. You know when there is a James Bond Esq opening that you are in good hands! I have to say form the opening scene (I love a good punch in the face) through the awesome opening credits, the film does not let you down. There was a real "down to earth" feel about it. I thought the acting suited the story and I wont give anything away, but I really thought the plot worked. Also the shots, WOW. Some of the shots look beautiful and the aerial establishing are always a crowd pleaser. I was throughly impressed with the cinematography! If you are looking for a fun thriller for a weekend watch, check this out!

"Toxic Impulses" revisits the noir genre with a modern sensibility, and while the story might lean on some classic tropes, it holds its own thanks to the atmospheric setting and earnest storytelling.

Yet, it's Olivia Buckle's performance as Zemira that truly elevates the film. Buckle masterfully balances vulnerability with guile, ensuring her character remains at the heart of the audience's investment. Her portrayal not only anchors the narrative but also signals a bright future for her in the cinematic world.

"Toxic Impulses" might not reinvent the wheel, but it's a commendable effort worth watching, especially for Buckle's standout role.

If you like a cat and mouse chase thriller then "Toxic Impulses " is for you. Drone the start to end it doesn't let up but keeps you guessing throughout the movie. And great surprise ending too. Not going to spoil it here, you just have to watch. I have seen many Indie movies, and usually they are done very cheap way or acting is bad. "Toxic Impulses " never felt like an indie film, but felt like we'll crafted Hollywood movie. Also you don't see many locations on indie movies but in this movie you'll see many. The action is fun, the acting is superb, the direction and editing is well thought out. Highly recommend it. 9:10.

An ex-police detective meets a mysterious woman who claims she is being blackmailed and asks for his help. After initially hesitating, he starts investigating, unaware that she is also a bank robber. As time passes, he becomes entangled in a dark world of lies, crime, and danger. TOXIC IMPULSES is an edgy independent thriller with a very film noir feel to it although only a little bit of it is in black and white. Ultimately it is a story about choices and consequences with crime, deceit, murder, secret addictions, and dark quests for redemption. The story is well written with turns I was not expecting. If you are looking for a tale of betrayal and shifting moral lines, Toxic Impulses is right up your alley.

Toxic Impulses is a neo-noir thriller about a former detective, Mosley, who is visited by a mysterious woman in need of his help. Mosely is hesitant at first, but soon gets sucked into the underbelly of the city where no one can be trusted.

All-in-all, for an indie film, it was well done. The locations are great and it has pretty good production value overall. The theme of neighborly love was a nice touch. However, what was lacking for me most was character motivation. Why did Mosely care enough to get involved? Why was the young woman doing what she was doing? What did she ultimately want? With those questions answered, I think the story could've been much stronger.

Toxic Impulses has a lot of twists and turns. If you like moody neo-noir thrillers then give this one a shot.

My hat is off to the team behind Toxic Impulses for their excellent work on this film. "Toxic Impulses" is well written and cast, beautifully shot and skillfully edited. Director Kyle Schadt has done a great job of creating a noir ambiance. The actors all turn in excellent performances as well. In addition, it is so nice to see that an indie thriller can be made on a budget and this should serve as an excellent guide to indie filmmakers who want to do the same. Kudos to the team for making a great product and keeping their audience on their toes into the bargain. Definitely recommend this film.

This film was a lot of fun. The acting was solid by everyone across the board. The dynamic among the family worked perfectly. Benedikt Sebastian was the highlight performance for me. The best aspect of the film for me was the music. It was loud, especially during the bank robbery scenes, and made you feel very uneasy, which means the film did it's job for those moments. The cinematography was excellent. The more intense scenes utilized handheld shaky camera footage, which was very effective. I'd love to see what this director can do with a heist film on a bigger budget because he hits all the right cylinders on what makes these types of movies very intense.

There is something about the film noir genre than makes people fascinated. Maybe it is the danger or maybe it is becuase of the many twists and turns that permeate these types of stories.

Toxic Impulses is one of the good ones keeping the audiences guessing and always throwing curveballs along the way to stop us from getting complacent.

The heist scenes add a great amount of tension in the film and I believe it works well. A particular hightlight for me is one scene where they are trying to escape a heist in the car. The tension builds slowly and it is things like this which mean that this delightful little indie is worth your time.