Wheew what a ride!
In this contemporary era of found-footage/zombie films galore, comes a film which serves a superb dose of nice, old-fashioned horror.
The makers have pulled out all the stops to make this as scary as possible, and it's a great thing. The film oozes atmosphere and foreboding unlike any film in recent times, and the best part is that the sense of creepy terror grabs you even in the day scenes.
I agree with Villain that it will feel like a mish-mash of several classic horrors of the 70s/80s (the film's events are set in 1971 so that's no surprise), but that's a factor which works for this film, and wonderfully well! There's some great background scores which help maintain the tenseness throughout, none more than the family theme which is composed by Mark Isham (fans of the man will instantly recognise his name at the beginning of the end credits). I loved the last 30 minutes, when it grabs the viewer by the scruff of the neck and pounds the horrors into his senses (unlike the
Evil Dead remake which went from eye-roll to eye-roll in the final few).
I'll be first in line if they ever make a sequel to this one. Would love to know more about that very creepy doll - hope it gets a starring part in the sequel.
Highly recommended. Definitely getting the BD/DVD as soon as it releases.
P.S. - Don't watch it after midnight, specially if you live in a creaky, old house.
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