Dogs as sacrifices, a hoarding insect monster, hallucinations (or hauntings) by a not-quite dead husband, a sister back from rehab with a mysterious past- this movie has so many crazy elements (both clichéd and unusual) that it had the potential to be a real mess. Instead, sincere acting and good use of limited resources make for a worthwhile effort in the indie scare genre.
As Tricia tries to move on from the death of her husband, she has to face a new challenge as her sister Callie comes to stay with her. Continually haunted by visions (or hallucinations?) of her husband's deathly pale, bruised form as she finally has him declared legally dead, Tricia tries meditation to try to calm her frayed nerves. Caught in the trappings her the traumatic end of her marriage, even her pregnancy hasn't allowed her to move on or out of the house the two of them shared. At first it seems as though Callie's influence and clear-headed insights gained from her post-rehab life may help Tricia to make the jump. Her practical advice helps Tricia choose an apartment and begin packing up.
Across the street from Tricia and Daniel's house is the entrance to a tunnel- the usual concrete-and-graffiti-style hole you might find in a number of suburban neighborhoods. Callie doesn't hesitate to go through it as a shortcut on her daily run the first morning she spends with Tricia. On her way back, she encounters a man lying on the ground in the tunnel who looks malnourished and possibly homeless- she thinks she recognizes a fellow addict, and is reluctant to brush him off completely when he pleads incoherently with her for help. She returns later that night to bring him food, a gift that sets in motion a dark and surprising series of events.
The acting in this film is subtle, the relationships between the characters both believable and engaging as new secrets and twists are revealed, and the quiet little neighborhood takes on a satisfyingly sinister cast as things start to deteriorate between the sisters and Tricia's newfound peace of mind.
Less smooth is the last 1/3 of the story- I am still in the dark about WHAT it was exactly that caused Daniel's disappearance and why his warnings to his family and the police go un-deciphered. The ending, also, left something to be desired- you can sense a theme of sacrifice tied to some kind of metaphor about Callie's drug addiction and un- tethered lifestyle, but the final scene doesn't capitalize on this at all.
Overall I enjoyed most of this film, and I especially enjoyed watching a low-budget film that the actors, producers and directors had clearly put a lot of talent and energy into.
Visit romyandmichelefreakout@blogspot.com for more horror reviews!
As Tricia tries to move on from the death of her husband, she has to face a new challenge as her sister Callie comes to stay with her. Continually haunted by visions (or hallucinations?) of her husband's deathly pale, bruised form as she finally has him declared legally dead, Tricia tries meditation to try to calm her frayed nerves. Caught in the trappings her the traumatic end of her marriage, even her pregnancy hasn't allowed her to move on or out of the house the two of them shared. At first it seems as though Callie's influence and clear-headed insights gained from her post-rehab life may help Tricia to make the jump. Her practical advice helps Tricia choose an apartment and begin packing up.
Across the street from Tricia and Daniel's house is the entrance to a tunnel- the usual concrete-and-graffiti-style hole you might find in a number of suburban neighborhoods. Callie doesn't hesitate to go through it as a shortcut on her daily run the first morning she spends with Tricia. On her way back, she encounters a man lying on the ground in the tunnel who looks malnourished and possibly homeless- she thinks she recognizes a fellow addict, and is reluctant to brush him off completely when he pleads incoherently with her for help. She returns later that night to bring him food, a gift that sets in motion a dark and surprising series of events.
The acting in this film is subtle, the relationships between the characters both believable and engaging as new secrets and twists are revealed, and the quiet little neighborhood takes on a satisfyingly sinister cast as things start to deteriorate between the sisters and Tricia's newfound peace of mind.
Less smooth is the last 1/3 of the story- I am still in the dark about WHAT it was exactly that caused Daniel's disappearance and why his warnings to his family and the police go un-deciphered. The ending, also, left something to be desired- you can sense a theme of sacrifice tied to some kind of metaphor about Callie's drug addiction and un- tethered lifestyle, but the final scene doesn't capitalize on this at all.
Overall I enjoyed most of this film, and I especially enjoyed watching a low-budget film that the actors, producers and directors had clearly put a lot of talent and energy into.
Visit romyandmichelefreakout@blogspot.com for more horror reviews!