I have to admit I don't normally watch Sci-Fi Channel movies, but my husband insisted we watch this one. I was ready to bolt, but surprisingly... not only did it hold my interest, but I thought it was one of the better horror movies of recent memory. Yes... I'm a horror fan.
Much like INSIDIOUS or THE CONJURING, this is a horror story rooted in the relationship of two adults facing a very difficult turning point in their lives. Husband Michael (Barry Watson) has been unfaithful to his devoted wife Rachel (Esme Bianco) and he's started drinking. Then... they lose their son in a car accident. When they get their son back in a miraculous turn of events... each of them have their faith tested in different ways. The marriage they'd struggled to save starts to fracture again and in the middle of it all is a son who may be their sweet little angel... or something far more ominous.
Not content to be a simple haunted house film... the movie goes beyond the confines of its story and strives for something bigger. There are elements of HIGHLANDER in the subplot about a renegade priest dueling (literally) with a seemingly immortal foe. There's a big action sequence out of THE BIRDS where the demonic child takes on an entire SWAT team. And the film's one mistake... a SHARKNADO like park scene that feels out of place in this otherwise creepy and satisfying movie.
It's also very gory. Ironically of all the PG-13 horror movies lately... a TV movie is the one that delivers the R-rated goods.
While the plot is most reminiscent of THE OMEN and PET SEMETARY, the filmmakers have clearly taken influence from the James Wan play book. In fact, I would argue that this film is more successful at capturing Wan's trademark creepy atmosphere and tone than his own spin off ANNABELLE. Sci-Fi paired this film with the INSIDIOUS films and its easy to see why. If they decide to make INSIDIOUS 4... maybe give these people a call.
Final verdict... terrifically atmospheric, strong acting, so-so low budget CG, way above average Sci-Fi channel movie.
Much like INSIDIOUS or THE CONJURING, this is a horror story rooted in the relationship of two adults facing a very difficult turning point in their lives. Husband Michael (Barry Watson) has been unfaithful to his devoted wife Rachel (Esme Bianco) and he's started drinking. Then... they lose their son in a car accident. When they get their son back in a miraculous turn of events... each of them have their faith tested in different ways. The marriage they'd struggled to save starts to fracture again and in the middle of it all is a son who may be their sweet little angel... or something far more ominous.
Not content to be a simple haunted house film... the movie goes beyond the confines of its story and strives for something bigger. There are elements of HIGHLANDER in the subplot about a renegade priest dueling (literally) with a seemingly immortal foe. There's a big action sequence out of THE BIRDS where the demonic child takes on an entire SWAT team. And the film's one mistake... a SHARKNADO like park scene that feels out of place in this otherwise creepy and satisfying movie.
It's also very gory. Ironically of all the PG-13 horror movies lately... a TV movie is the one that delivers the R-rated goods.
While the plot is most reminiscent of THE OMEN and PET SEMETARY, the filmmakers have clearly taken influence from the James Wan play book. In fact, I would argue that this film is more successful at capturing Wan's trademark creepy atmosphere and tone than his own spin off ANNABELLE. Sci-Fi paired this film with the INSIDIOUS films and its easy to see why. If they decide to make INSIDIOUS 4... maybe give these people a call.
Final verdict... terrifically atmospheric, strong acting, so-so low budget CG, way above average Sci-Fi channel movie.