House of Salem (2016) Poster

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3/10
too ambitious?
contactraajrana7 June 2017
I saw this at London FrightFest 2016. The best thing I can say is that it's ambitious. My initial thought when it finished was that everyone's got to start somewhere - and that everyone involved can only get better. I was surprised to see that the writer/director has so many short movies under his belt. It would be interesting to view those to see if he has become a better filmmaker with each one...

I'd love for the writer/director to compare his movie to one that he admires that is of the same genre and scale - and to tell us his thoughts.
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4/10
Amateurish 'horror' movie will have you rolling your eyes, not shaking with fright
CabbageCustard7 March 2020
The scariest thing about this movie is the opening and closing credits. They certainly give you the impression that the 100 or so minute movie that comes in between must be something pretty frightening. Sadly, it is not. Instead it is filled with wooden acting, a convoluted plot and a lot of improbable plot points. That's a pity because at the heart of this movie is a promising concept - not wholly original, but promising.

I know nothing about the people who made this film, but it's pretty obvious that they were not part of a major production company. In fact, you get the distinct impression that everyone involved with this is just learning their craft, whether they be the actors, writers, director, special effects guys and so on. If that is the case, then I am prepared to say that this was a good start and wish all involved well for the future. If that is NOT the case then I can only hope that the participants in this have another career to fall back on.

If you have any family members involved in this then by all means watch it and support them. If you don't have any friends or family involved then don't waste your time.
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6/10
The Devil wants to play
nogodnomasters23 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Preteen Josh (Liam Kelly ) is wimpy for a boy his age and talks to his one-eyed stuffed Lamp Chops. He has bad dreams, visions, and hears voices...that of Ricky who we later discover is his deceased brother. He is kidnapped and held for ransom in a remote designated house owned by Arthur Salem, hence the title.

The film does a good job with a slow build up. You get the feeling of impending doom and we know a cult is involved. The downfall was the dialogue and characters in general. Josh was too wimpy. Nancy (Jessica Arterton ) too doting. They never went anywhere with her and Jack. They should have made the basement a little more dingy too.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
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8/10
Lambs to the slaughter
Woodyanders6 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A group of kidnappers run afoul of an evil satanic cult after they abduct young boy Josh (a solid and credible performance by Liam Kelly) and decide to hole up at a remote safe house located in the woods.

Director/writer James Crow relates the gripping story at a constant pace, adroitly crafts a spooky and unsettling gloom-doom atmosphere, generates a good deal of tension, and tosses in a few neat twists and turns for good measure. The sound acting by the capable cast keeps this movie humming: Jessica Atherton as the tender and reluctant Nancy, Jack Brett Anderson as the wimpy Jack, Leslie Mills as ruthless ringleader Jacob, Robert Love as the volatile Mick, and Dean Marshall as the brutish Craig. Granted, this film drags a bit in the middle (it's about ten minutes too long), but fortunately things pick up considerably for a bloody, chilling, and exciting climax that's topped off by a real zinger of a surprise grim ending. A nice little fright film.
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8/10
Has some boring bits, but I loved it.
RedQueenIMDB9 June 2023
I thought it dragged a bit in the beginning but the story is great! First there's a kidnapping. Which turns out to be more. Which turns out to be more & more & more. Pretty original with scary villains, a demonic cult & seriously evil paranormal experiments. With an even more intense ending.

I could have done with less violence, but it lent credibility to the criminal element. Visuals could have been better, but were adequate for this low budget. Even though I'd love to see this re-made with the best minds & resources. It does have an amateur vibe, which is only disappointing 'cause it could be epic.
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