Little Erin Merryweather

To paraphrase Robert Benchley: Little Erin Merryweather takes the road less traveled — in this case, the high road, and along the way manages to kick every modern horror movie cliché to the curb. Item 1: Viewers know instantly whodunit. But the characters don't, and as Hitchcock always knew, that's where the real fun—and suspense—is. Item 2: Said killer isn't a one-dimensional mad slasher sporting a hockey mask. Instead, she (Vigdis Anholt) — that's right, she — remains winsome and wise with crystal-blue eyes (when sane, that is). Still, it's enough to charm Item 3, the curly blond male lead (David Morwick), yet not the actual hero of the film, notwithstanding his dashing looks, sheepish grins and seductive lip-biting. Instead, that role goes to Item 4, the smart, attractive psychologist (Liz Callahan), clearly in charge though (uh-oh) female and fiftysomething. And finally, Item 5: The violence isn't repulsive. Instead, it's restrained, just like the film's de rigueur indie-driven budget — yet a talented cast and crew, performing double or sometimes triple-duty (Morwick also scripted and directed), burnish a strikingly-polished film. Which is why Little Erin's journey down that untrodden road is such a wild, bumpy and cheerfully creepy ride.