As the Village Sleeps

As The Village Sleeps is a creative take on a "living game" story. I've always been interested in movies where games start affecting reality, like Ouija, and even wondered what a horror version of Jumanji would be like. As The Village Sleep has its own take on the genre, with pretty good results, and let's give it some credit as an independent horror/thriller. If you are like me, you don't mind that a more modestly budgeted indie might not have the multi-million dollar polish of a Hollywood film, especially when the concept is fun and interesting, and the actors give it their all. I think the fact that this movie has such a high view count on Youtube channels and on other platforms is indicative that people are enjoying the film. I'd definitely recommend As The Village Sleeps for the indie horror fans out there.

We open on a car pulling over to the side of a desolate road - the woman inside goes to bury something in the dirt and set it alight. Only to be disturbed and runs back to the car, the guy who was driving is missing and we hear ominous growling as she is dragged out of the car by an unseen force.

I went into this blindly and with that opening I assumed it was demons haha. I was wrong! What starts off as an indie film with questionable acting is actually a fun (bad but enjoyable once you find out what kind of bad) werewolf movie! Or is it?!

The main group are staying at a cabin on a Native Reservation when they decide to play a card game (I think it was either called Lynched or Townsfolk) which marks players as werewolves, civillians, a witch and a cat. Cut to the next scene where they're all waking up, seemingly drugged and realising that the game is real and they're being hunted. Through hazy memories and splitting up, some start to turn on each other, others banding together to try and figure out the mystery of whom the werewolf is to survive by sunrise.

I mentioned the questionable acting, and it is very questionable at that, however the werewolf makeup designs, film score and just plain wanting to find out who would end up being hunted next kept me watching.

As The Village Sleeps is out now on Prime Video!

I read the storyline of this film and that alone put me off. Sometimes it's good not to know any of the actors however that usually only works if the film has plus points in all or most of the other departments, which THIS TRIPE doesn't, NOT in a single one. I watched the first 29 minutes because I was hoping something, anything was going to happen to put some life into it but nothing did. More life exists in a morgue believe me. So, acting was excruciatingly bad, not even at amateur level. Script awful, juvenile behaviour throughout. Photography by way of landscapes, etc non-existent. The characters were like 20 going on 70. Horrid backing music. Give this a wide berth even if someone offers you money to watch it - DON'T.

Well this is an indie film worth watching! As a filmmaker, really enjoyed the cinematography and the tone. It felt a little like stranger things meets teen wolf as far as tone/vibe. Really enjoyed that. I love watching these gems as an indie filmmaker myself. Acting was on point for the material, it never takes itself too seriously and I mean that in the best way. Shots and lighting were really well done. I wont give anything away but, it has its twists, but also knows when to hone it in and let the characters work. For what they sought out to do, I thought they did a great job! Check this out!

The only reason that I haven't rated this movie as a 1 is that the camera work and editing are reasonable enough.

That is where any praise at all ends.

The script is terrible and the acting is (on the most part) even worse. The plot is weak and any attempt to build tension fails dismally, partly but not completely, due to the ineffective score.

I can't stress enough: this isn't one of those films that is "so bad it's good". It's just plain bad.