Wake Wood (2009) User Reviews

Highly original Irish Horror

[cubasfinest · 6/10 · 13 April 2011]

I found the story line original, or at least something I haven't seen in the past 10 years, because it's nearly all been done by now. The story moves at a good pace, showing you mysterious things along the way, teasing you a little before revealing what exactly is happening.

I would describe Wake Wood as a mix between the Exorcist and The Wicker Man. While it never reaches the brilliance of the previously mentioned films Wake Wood is a solid film, with good acting, particularly from the ever excellent Aidan Gillen. The cinematography is hardly groundbreaking but suits the mood of the film well.

Any fan of supernatural horror should be satisfied with what Wake Wood has to offer.

old school Hammer

[trashgang · 6/10 · 16 January 2012]

I was happy when I heard that Hammer studios was back in business. So far they delivered 2 flicks, The Resident (2011) and this one. Wake Wood leans more towards the Hammer style then The Resident although both do have their own thing. Wake Wood has more red stuff. But that doesn't make a flick. My only point of negativity is the use of CGI. There is one scene that I didn't like, when they make a close-up of the child's neck and we see her wounds disappear. It was done 100% CGI and I hated it. I guess one shot is also CGI, when blood sputters out of a neck.

But luckily the film has a good atmosphere. It takes place in Ireland and let that be the country of Paganism and Witchcraft. And that is what it's all about. Bringing back the death by old rituals. As I stated it do contain a lot of blood but it never becomes too gory. It was David Keating his first attempt to make a real horror. And he succeeded. Some shots were typical seventies style , even hammer style and the way it was edited was also a return to the seventies. The acting was okay. Only Eva Birthistle we knew from the horror The Children (2008). She even has a small nudity in Wake Wood.

If I must choose which one, Wake Wood or The Resident, leans most to the old Hammer I would say wake Wood.

Gore 2/5 Nudity 0,5/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5

The madness of grief leads to supernatural horror fun.

[goodellaa · 7/10 · 7 November 2011]

I love that our beloved Hammer horror movies are well enough remembered that people are trying to make stylish, classy and inexpensive movies like this. Hammer also made comedies (hint, hint). This one turned out very good. Well written, with the first hour devoted to setting up and exploring a good variety of tastefully presented horrors. Good acting, good staging and camera work, good story-telling. Seems these two people are in a state of distraction due to grief over the horrible death of their little girl. They up and move to a little farming community where things are a bit odd. They are invited to gain some closure by resurrecting their child ... for three days. That is all. Must obey the rules and do everything correctly or extremely dangerous unspecified results will happen. They go ahead anyway. How on Earth the folk of this village ever learned this supernatural trick would make a story in itself, and we are fortunately invited to imagine it for ourselves as the expected flashback/exposition stuff never comes. None of these people really know what they are playing with in true folkloric tradition, any more than we do. This charming family time soon becomes a violent supernatural nightmare for a half hour of more typical horror fun. In the end we get a non-resolution bordering on madness. Nurturing family values get a bit twisted, so this movie is not for everyone. Once in a while I see something I would have done differently, like a lady giving up blood for a weird ceremony by having her veterinarian husband cut open the palm of her hand. Why the palm? Couldn't he have done that better? Never mind. A movie this good will be noted for it's few imperfections. Great Halloween gift for certain people.

The Damp, the Dreary and the Dark.

[amesmonde · 3 May 2011]

Following the unnecessary, yet excellent remake 'Let me In' Hammer returns with Wake Wood a supernatural chiller in which a child is brought back from the dead to comfort her parents for three days. But she's not quite the angelic child she was.

Eva Birthistle plays the grieving mother Louise and Twelve Rounds (2009) bad guy Adian Gillen is exceptional as the deceased child's father. Reliable Timothy Spall and the child actress are notable and the supporting cast are solid. 

There's some effective bloody gore, grizzly births, severed spines, dog attacks and killings. Some supernatural elements take place out of shot to avoid the use of CGI, which adds to the believability and saves the budget.

Wake Wood is dark, damp and dreary just as it should be. Nevertheless, it is slightly stifled by a filmed for TV look. That aside, with a small budget director David Keating keeps the blood flowing and the pace going.  It benefits from plausibility and atmosphere with an on location shoot. There's plenty of shadows, eerie music, sharp editing and a grounded screen-play (by Brendan McCarthy) to keep you watching with a grin that Hammer may have a place in this century.

With elements of  Don't Look Now, Case 39, Carrie, The Wicker Man and Pet Cemetery to name a few you could argue it's all be done before and better. However, Wake Wood's great ending debatably leaves you thinking sometimes less is more.

Would you bring her back?...

[paul_haakonsen · 4/10 · 6 April 2011]

Based from the movie's cover, then "Wake Wood" looked really interesting, so it was with some anticipation and expectation that I sat down and watched this movie.

The story told in the movie was actually quite good, I will give the movie that much. Dealing with a family torn apart by the death of their little girl, then given the chance to see their deceased girl again for three days, and for three days only. But of course, something is amiss... Actually the story was much similar to the plot in Stephen King's "Pet Semetary" movie/book.

For scare effects and scare value, then "Wake Wood" was a very weak cup of tea. There weren't any moments that made you jump in the seat or even had the hairs on your neck stand up. Not everything in the movie was bad, mind you. There were scenes and scenery that were working well for the movie, but it just never came to any scary moments.

The acting in "Wake Wood" was alright as well. The movie was carried by Aidan Gillen (playing Patrick) and Eva Birthistle (playing Louise). The role of Alice (played by Ella Connolly) wasn't particularly well executed and could have been more creepy with another child actress.

For a horror movie, then "Wake Wood" was a very uninspiring, uninteresting and non-entertaining movie. If you like horror movies, then there are far better ones out there. The movie is worth checking out for the story alone, though, just bear in mind that it is much similar to the works of Stephen King though.

A very interesting horror film....

[MovieGuy01 · 6/10 · 16 April 2011]

I watched this film a few weeks ago and i found it to be a very good horror film. i found it to be a very gripping sort of film with some nice views of the Irish countryside. It is about a young couple whose daughter is torn to death by an angry Alsatian not very far from their home. To get over the terrible loss of their daughter they decide to start a new life in Ireland in a small village called Wake Wood. Soon after they arrive there the girl's mother Louise finds that the local villagers are involved in some rather unusual behaviour. I found this film to be very entertaining throughout, with a very good storyline. I thought that the young girl's parents Patrick (Aidan Gillen) and Louise (Eva Birthistle) were very good actors too. I would definitely recommend this film: 6/10

Disappointing

[addison-luke · 4/10 · 28 March 2011]

After reading other reviews and watching the trailer for this movie, I had high hopes. They've since been dashed - I think I expected too much.

The story could have been a great one but has flaws. I felt many of the characters were a bit week so I didn't get emotionally attached to any of them and didn't really care what happened to them.

Don't get me wrong, I've sat through much worse films in my time and Wake Wood isn't terrible. I'm disappointed that I'm not going to bed with the story playing on my mind.

I'm also not sure what involvement Hammer had in this film, if any other than a logo on the box of the DVD and on the menu page. They weren't even mentioned in the credits which also had a copyright year of 2009.

If you could only watch one new Hammer movie I'd say The Resident or Let Me in are both a lot more enjoyable.

In Wakewood, death isn't necessarily the end ...

[Coventry · 7/10 · 7 June 2012]

Even though they will forever remain linked to Peter Cushing, Christoper Lee and a whole variety of immortal Gothic horror movies produced during the sixties and seventies, it's still tremendously great news that Hammer Studios are back in business! The legendary British studios, of which I loved nearly everything they ever accomplished, make an exquisite comeback with the traditionally themed and old-fashioned spooky "Wake Wood". The plot borrows obvious and less obvious elements from a handful of famous genre classics, but it nevertheless stands on its own as a solid and competent horror movie that is occasionally very tense, disturbing and repulsive. Approximately one year after they tragically lost their only daughter in a rabid dog attack, the emotionally wrecked couple Patrick and Louise move to the small farmers' community of Wakewood, where he takes up his profession as a veterinary and she re-opens the local pharmacy. The town's patriarch Arthur informs Patrick and Louise that the entire town of Wakewood participates in a secluded and very secret Pagan ritual. Through the cadaver of a freshly deceased villager, Arthur can bring another dead person back to life for a period of three days, so that his/her family can spend some beautiful last moments together and properly prepare their goodbye. There are a few strict rules, however, including that the resurrected person's passing was less than one year ago and that he or she is forbidden to leave the town's perimeters. Blinded by their desire to be reunited with their daughter, the couple takes the risk of altering a few facts and convinces the town to bring back their beloved Alice. Needless to say horrible events ensue, as Alice doesn't exactly return as the cute and cherubic girl she once was… As said, "Wake Wood" clearly sought inspiration with some genuine classics, like "Pet Sematery" (bringing back a dead child), "The Wicker Man" (the entire town participating in the pagan ritual) and "Don't Look Now" (processing the tragic loss of child). This isn't a negative comment; however, as writer/director David Keating processes the subject matter in a respectable way and adds a modern and personal touch wherever possible. Arguably, the film is somewhat too slow-paced and pretentious in terms of editing (too many collages and brief insignificant flashbacks), but you can't really blame a film crew for trying to be stylish, now can you? The climax is a bit of a letdown, mainly because the events are too hectic, incoherent and also all of a sudden extremely cruel and sadist. There were some violent parts and grisly images throughout the entire film, like the harrowing dog attack at the beginning and the macabre Wakewood ritual, but the last ten minutes are really quite sick. It's a shame to let the movie end in such a negative and illogical way. Terrific acting performances here as well, particularly from the reliable Timothy Spall ("Sweeney Todd" and the "Harry Potter" franchise) as the town patriarch. Very much recommended, can't wait to see what Hammer does next.

One of the most dull films I've seen in a while

[HorrorOverEverything · 2/10 · 19 May 2011]

When I first read the plot-line for this film I was pretty excited to see it. The story sounded very interesting and original. So I finally got a chance to see it and boy was I disappointed. As soon as it started I got the feeling that I probably wouldn't enjoy the film, but I decided to just tough it out and give it a try, but they sure made that difficult. The entire thing just had this deep almost depressing dull feeling. I do understand that this is suppose to be a sad movie but there is a way of doing that without making it so dull, and this film failed at that big time. Every character is pretty much mono-toned and boring. I had trouble caring about the two main characters because they really had no personalities. Even the little girl just seemed like she only had one emotion threw the whole thing. It also doesn't help that this movie moves at an insanely slow pace. Things really don't pick up until about the last 15 minutes of the movie, and even then the dull feeling is still there. Like I said earlier, this movie did have an interesting and original story, but its like the writer took a great idea like that and just turned it into a typical *evil child* movie. There was so much more that could have been done with this movie and it really does upset me that it was so bad. I fought going to sleep threw this entire thing and it was not easy. I truly do regret watching the entire thing because it honestly wasn't worth it. The ending was absolutely stupid and the entire thing was just a waste. Skip this, you are not missing anything. This movie gets 2 stars based solely on the fact that it was a good idea, just a terrible execution.

What Happens in Wake Wood is not for Everyone

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 25 May 2012]

After the death of their beloved daughter Alice (Ella Connolly) by a savage dog, the veterinary Patrick (Aidan Gillen) and the pharmacist Louise (Eva Birthistle) move to Wake Wood, a small town in the countryside. Patrick befriends the local leader Arthur (Timothy Spall) and the couple grieves the death of Alice.

Sooner Louise witnesses part of a bloody ritual in the woods and they learn that the villagers practice a pagan ritual to bring back to life the beloved deceased one for three days for a better farewell within the first month of the casualty and within the village limits. Patrick and Louise accept the conditions and lie to Arthur about the date that Alice died. They succeed in resuscitating Alice but something goes deadly wrong.

"Wake Wood" is an interesting film that has a storyline very similar to "Pet Sematary" with desperate parents using a weird ritual to revive their beloved nine year-old daughter. The dramatic and creepy story is supported by good performances and worth watching this Hammer film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Despertar dos Mortos" ("Awake of the Dead")

Pet Cemetery in Ireland.

[blastodon · 4/10 · 29 May 2011]

yeah so this one is pretty boring. Basically little girl gets mauled by a German shepherd. Parents have the town folk do a ritual on a (conveniently) fresh dead body that allows the deceased to be brought back to life for 3 days. Girl pops out of dead body like some sort of cocoon. Supposedly the ritual is only good if the deceased have been dead for less than a year. Of course it's really longer than that because she starts killing farm animals and then people. Basically a touch of wicker man and pet cemetery set in Ireland. Mediocre at best. i would recommend avoiding this one. It isn't terrible but it isn't that great either. It deserves it's mediocre 5 on IMDb although I gave it a 4. Blah.

Fantastic Slab Of Horror From The Newly Invigorated Hammer Franchise

[delfranklin1969 · 9/10 · 1 October 2011]

On briefly reading the reviews here, I was a little disappointed at so many negative words for what for me is one of the best horror films I have seen in quite some time. Each to their own I suppose, that's what opinions are there for after all!

Made on a low budget and set in either the north or south of Ireland (hard to decipher which!), 'Wake Wood' is the tale of a recently bereaved couple who relocate to this remote outpost to overcome their grief. As luck would have it - the locals led by a sinister and menacing Timothy Spall just happen to have pagan powers to resurrect the dead for three days. Some people have all the luck!

This is a great wee story with all the trademarks of what made Hammer films so spellbinding in the first place. A remote location, strange locals, an abundance of gloomy weather and of course blood and guts aplenty. The tale twists and weaves, there's a number of interesting plot twists and fantastic performances all round especially from Spall who puts more proof in the pudding he is one of the most versatile British actors around. Debutant Ella Connolly playing the couple's tragic daughter is superb as well.

The script is original something difficult to muster in the horror genre nowadays. There is every chance 'Wake Wood' will end up becoming a cult classic in the same vein as 'The Wicker Man. Here's hoping it does because on first viewing it certainly deserves such an accolade.

told you there would be consequences......

[FlashCallahan · 7/10 · 28 August 2011]

Still grieving the death of nine-year-old Alice - their only child - at the jaws of a crazed dog, vet Patrick and pharmacist Louise relocate to the remote town of Wake Wood.

There, they learn of a pagan ritual that will allow them three more days with Alice.

The couple find the idea disturbing and exciting in equal measure, but once they agree terms with Arthur, the village's leader, a far bigger question looms.

What will they do when it's time for Alice to go back....

At first glance, this movie looks a lot like the Wicker Man (Hardys version), and has many similarities to Kings 'Per Sematary'. And this is what makes this sometimes very well made horror film, that little too predictable.

The cast are great though, the two leads are fantastic as the grieving parents, and Spall looks like he's having a ball as Lord Summerisle......sorry Arthur.

But it's the wicker man similarities that spoil it, from the odd villagers, to the 'twists' at the end.

With these sort of films, you know that something bad will happen, we don't need a 'drag me to hell' bit to shock us.

The girl who plays Alice is decidedly creepy, and gives the film a more eerie feel to it.

It gets a bit too much toward the end, and one feels that when Gillen looks at the camera in the final scene, you half expect him to do the raised eyebrow thing Magnum used to do.

So all in all, it's great if you haven't seen the Wicker Man, but if you have it's not a bad thing, you just get that feeling of been there, done that.

Made without a single bone of originality

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 25 December 2013]

Produced as one of a new wave of 'Hammer Horrors', WAKE WOOD is unfortunately an entirely derivative horror film that freely plunders modern classics as well as a couple of more obscure outings. It's the entire lack of originality that hits it the hardest; if it had been fresh and unique, I would have liked it a lot more, but sadly the source material is just too predictable for this to be enjoyable.

The plot involves a couple grieving the death of their only daughter, who has been savaged by a dog. They move to a small rural town which they soon discover is the home to a sinister pagan cult a la THE WICKER MAN, and they become involved in a conspiracy of resurrection. What soon transpires is a virtual page-by-page, or scene-by-scene, remake of PET SEMATARY, with so many similarities between the movies as to be far from coincidental.

Those two movies are the main sources of inspiration, but there are a few more all-too-familiar elements here, including a sex scene borrowed from DON'T LOOK NOW and a 'shock' ending copied from CARRIE. It's a pity this is so predictable, because the acting is particularly strong (Aiden Gillen in a rare sympathetic role for example, and Timothy Spall) and there are some decent moments of atmosphere built up along the way.It's just a shame that this is nothing we've not seen before.

A haunting atmospheric horror from the (new) house of Hammer

[ajs-10 · 9 October 2011]

I hadn't heard much about this film before giving it a viewing. Reading just one review was enough for me to give it a look. I must admit I liked this atmospheric low budget horror flick, it definitely has the edge over a lot of the better funded more recent efforts on offer. It's a tale about the loss of a child and the hope that the parents might bring her back, albeit temporarily… but possibly at a cost. I'll give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

Grieving after the loss of their young daughter, Alice; Patrick and Louise move to the small Irish town of Wakewood (that's how it is spelt on the sign… I'm unsure why they filmmakers felt they had to change it for the title). Patrick is a veterinarian and has a job working for Arthur, now preparing for retirement. Louise is a pharmacist and runs the local chemist shop. They are both still depressed about Alice but Louise feels the loss more and wants to leave. One night they stumble upon a strange, almost pagan, ceremony in which a person is "reborn" (for want of a better word). Arthur visits them that night and tells them there may be a way to bring their daughter back, but for just three days. They are so desperate they agree, but are they willing to abide by the strict rules Arthur lays out before them?... I will leave it there so as not to enrage the gods of the Spoiler Police.

With a haunting musical score by Michael Convertino, I found this film very atmospheric and quite poignant at times. Very reminiscent of earlier films like 'The Wicker Man' (original version) and 'Don't Look Now'. Great performances by all of the leading cast; Aidan Gillen was excellent as Patrick, as was Eva Birthistle as Louise. Timothy Spall was up to his usual excellent standard as Arthur and the young Ella Connolly did a really great job as Alice.

Being a low-budget film, there are many companies listed as being involved in the production. The most recognisable being Hammer Film Productions. This is the first of what I hope will be many new films that may bring this famous company back from the darkness (at it were). I really like the look and feel of the movie. Filmed on location on Ireland, it has a kind of desolate feel to it that adds to the haunting quality given to it by the score and the script. There is a nice little twist at the end that may surprise a few, but I thought it quite fitting. Probably the best horror film I've seen this year… Recommended.

My Score: 7.4/10.

IMDb Score: 5.5/10 (based on 1,712 votes at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84/100 (based on 19 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Bad

[dusan-22 · 2/10 · 10 April 2011]

This movie lacks a lot of things, at least. First of all it is irritating that all good acting went into the sewer along with the imbecile plot. Had this movie been created in the 20's it would have been different if nothing else. Like this, it is not even that. For almost two hours we are watching the silent agony of the unfortunate couple without any trace of suspense. Bringing her daughter back to life is kind of alchemical attraction, but that does not bring any rhythm to this sad movie. Few killings at the end of the movie did not make it any better. Even the murders were so expected that they are a complete waste. Simply bad and already seen many times with much better execution.

She's back, and she doesn't want to go away again.

[lewiskendell · 7/10 · 3 August 2011]

"What goes on in Wake Wood is not for everyone."

This surprisingly gory little entry into the "evil kid" genre is a good one. In the Irish town of Wake Wood, the dead can return to life to see their loved ones...but only for three days, and only if a very specific set of rules have been followed. A recently arrived couple is so desperate for the return of their nine year old daughter, that they ignore some of the rules to have her back. And while she seems entirely normal at first, as the three days draw to a close, things start going horribly bad. 

Wake Wood takes a while to get going, but when it kicks into gear in the last 40 minutes or so, it's pretty epic. Very gory, as I mentioned before, but it also lays on the creepy atmosphere and thankfully keeps the jump scares to a relative minimum. I also liked how the story was kept simple and uncomplicated, there aren't any needless plot twists to muddy the movie. Any fan of horror should give it a shot.

Below Average

[pj-bus · 3/10 · 11 May 2014]

I wasn't very impressed by this film, however the basic story and acting were perfectly good. I liked the portrayal of the Irish town and I felt that the characters were believable Irish people. There is something within that world of farming in Ireland that is suitable for exploitation in a horror film.

For me the problems with this film lay in the direction, filming and editing. The whole film feels like a TV movie. Shots are not held long enough. The editing seems amateurish.

I think that this film could have had much more atmosphere and possibly should have contained fewer incidents and less gore. The gore itself is not particularly unpleasant in fact.

I understood the ending but I didn't think it was particularly well portrayed. There is something awkward about this whole film and it is a bit difficult for me to identify it closely.

I think it is a bit of a lost opportunity.

Frankenstein of a movie

[Dandy_Desmond · 6/10 · 11 April 2011]

Wake Wood's bits and pieces are all made from other movies. A horror fan will spot them immediately - however it doesn't really matter as long as its done right.

I liked the actors, I liked the fact it was a horror film that was an 18 and didn't have teenagers in peril. I also thought the little girl was very good and wasn't trying to overdo the weird kid thing.

The direction at times was impressive - not trying flashy edits and too many jump scares but preferring to build an uneasy atmosphere. The story itself reads a little like Pet Sematary and Don't Look Now which it exactly what it is - the feel of the film was also a little like the Wicker Man. A couple lose their daughter after a savage attack by a dog. They move to wake wood and discover the villagers have a secret - they can bring the dead back to life for three days so the families can say goodbye properly. However there are rules to the deal and if broken have consequences!

I found some of the more obvious references to the movies it was inspired by a little wearing at times, for example the girl wearing the bright mac (although yellow as opposed to red in Don't Look Now) also the love scene, lifted completely from Don't Look Now.

My biggest issue with the film was the flimsy way the ending was done - it felt like once the girl had turned evil the writer/director didn't know what to do with her. So we'll have her kill some random animals and a couple of old geezers. The ending did let the film down (especially the last 5 minutes or so) but I must applaud the effort of the director for attempting a more adult theme for a horror and trying to build up suspense rather than go for cheap shocks.

I give it 6 out of 10 - I think its above average but not more.

Awful ... Looked like a bad soap ... Shoot the cameraman

[boydwalters · 2/10 · 3 April 2011]

Pathetic ... Is this supposed to be a film ... It looked like a really cheap episode of some TV soap opera ... Emmerdale farm with witches/Pagans ... If this is all the new Hammer is capable of they might as well forget it ... Hammer turned out a few interesting films ... But they were just a name people remembered ... More for the fact that the actresses got their boobs out than anything else ... They are mostly remembered by teenagers for various actresses breasts ... Which is fine ... The films were fun ... But NEVER great films ... So people remember a name ... So What ... This was absolute drivel ... Pathetic and clueless The other Hammer film of recent time "The Resident" was also pretty clueless ... But at least it looked like a film rather than a piece of bad TV Hammer ... Forget it And the 2 out of ten is only cos its not even funny bad

good hammer

[charlesdodemont · 7/10 · 8 April 2011]

one hell of frightener. this irish "little horror flick" is pretty original. it looks a little like that other horror movie about that murdering child out there but this one is much more disturbing. check the daisy chain or orphan but in my view this on is much more horrifying and disturbing. you don't see it coming until the end. this is the first Hammer "new one" that really feels like a Gothic horror again. the resident wasn't and let me in isn't because it's a remake. I hope Hammer willmake more like these in the future. not very high budget but worth every irish film counsel's penny. please check this one. you'lllike it i am sure!

Wake Wood (2011)

[SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain · 5/10 · 13 December 2011]

Interesting ideas are not enough to make this a truly fantastic horror. It's too concerned with being a horror, than exploring its themes. Bringing loved ones back from the dead is great, we see many people enjoying a peaceful 3days. Yet this girl has to go mental, just because the film wants to scare. If it's a film about closure and moving on, then why does it jump about so much at the end? Seeing Spall play with an abacus after some fairly pointless questions just made the film seem so shallow in mythology. AT least set out some ground rules. The editing also betrays the budget. With nothing ever really shown, just a shot of a car, a dogs teeth, shocked reactions, dog on floor. Editing can disguise a budget, but the pale photography makes it more home-movie than horror movie. I'd heard great things, that equated this to a modern day Don't Look Now/Wicker-Man. All I really got was a fairly enjoyable movie with some good ideas, but a reluctance to avoid the obvious.

Cracking new horror film from Hammer

[everyfilmin2011 · 8/10 · 25 March 2011]

And I am utterly delighted to say this is exactly the sort of movie I hoped Hammer would produce when it rose from the ashes. Last week, I laid into The Resident which was hopelessly feeble. This is anything but. A gory, edge-of-the-seat cracker which also has a fabulous psychological edge. From the start it grabbed me. Which is not too surprising because in the first three minutes a young couple's daughter is torn to death by an angry Alsatian. This inspires the pair, Patrick (Aidan Gillen) and Louise (Eva Birthistle) to start a new life, deep in the Irish countryside, at a village called Wake Wood (what a great name). Louise senses there is something a little odd about the locals, who are led by a squire, played with perfect gravitas by Timothy Spall. Many other reviews have given the game away at this point. I am going to avoid doing that and just suggest supernatural jiggery pokery. Patrick and Louise get involved and the consequences are bloody but rather brilliant. I have read that Wake Wood has echoes of the Whicker Man and I sort of understand this thinking. Certainly, the villagers share a secret and are involved in behaviour which outsiders are unlikely to understand. Gillen and Birtwistle are rather splendid as the fraught interlopers. They succeed where Hilary Swank failed so hopelessly in The Resident. And then there is Spall. I've been enthralled by Spall, so to speak, since the days of Auf Widersehen Pet. He gets better with age. But the real hero is director David Keating who was also on the writing team. With a limited budget he has created a movie with levels of horror and suspense which would make the heroes of Hammer proud.

Pet Cemetary Upgrade

[eddie-32826 · 7/10 · 29 July 2020]

This was a good film, brought to the screen by the Hammer team, which is great. After their age old classics with Peter Cushings etc, this film brings in the new blood.

The scenes are well done, not over the top and no cgi, all good old special effects. And you can certainly sympethise with the parents on why they wanted their daughter brought back.

Its a dark film, but what I like about this film compared to others, is it doesn't throw you into a story you have no idea why. Its has a backdrop, so that you can understand why they went the path they did.

Pretty cheap

[leavymusic-2 · 2/10 · 18 August 2020]

Cheap looking, not a great sorry and having the classic Hammer title before the film starts is a bit of insult, as it has nothing in common other than its in the horror genre. The feel of it has a children's drama, and apart from the Moments of gore it is. The music sucks and the acting is wooden, about it, if you like ultra cheap crap horrors this is for you.