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Review by Charles Campbell, Horror Author

 

Oh Gush, where to begin?

 

First of all, I want to give a big kudos to Brian Williams and Scott Schirmer for coming up with such a gripping and original story.

 

As the movie begins, we find Ellie Church’s character, horror novelist, Sally Harkley still trying to cope with the death of her baby after a tragic accident. She has two books of a trilogy done and she simply cannot find the motivation to move forward to complete the series. This has put a strain on her marriage and quite frankly Sally is not in a good place mentally. Her publisher, a man named Owen, gives her the opportunity to get away to a somewhat secluded house so that Sally can find her muse. And boy does she ever – in the form of the titillating, Alyss Winkler. The movie really centers on Sally and her initial struggles to start writing again. I won’t spoil anything here but the way in which she has to start writing again was a real throwback to my teenage years when I first began writing horror fiction. It wasn’t the easy way is all I will say. But when her muse comes into play, all bets are off.

 

The setting was isolated but, to me, not desolate. The cast was top notch as was the direction. I will say that I have seen Ellie and Alyss in other roles and have always enjoyed their work but they both deserve special recognition for this film. The raw emotion that Ellie conveys jumps off the screen and pulls you in. She makes you feel her angst and pain. Ellie’s performances have always been good but this one was just way on another level. And with Alyss her character’s silence in the film spoke volumes. I won’t go directly into their interactions because I want you to be surprised as a viewer but needless to say this ninety minute film flies by in the best of ways.

 

 

★★★★ out of 5