Teenager Kylie (Morgana O'Reilly) is arrested for a failure to blow up a ATM machine and is ordered to live with her mother, Miriam (Rima Te Wiata) for 9-months mostly because all other options of incarcerations have never worked on Kylie. Kylie has a terrible attitude and has an ankle bracelet to insure she stays within the house limits. Kylie's mother is on record as saying the house, her house, is haunted. Kylie and her mother do not get along.
Kylie experiences many things that go bump in the night, but is a curious person on why these things happen, but she does not cower away from them but goes to where the noises happen to find out the truth behind these "hauntings, but to no avail. Later she learns that a young girl was murdered in the house and the belief is that the young girl's spirit haunts the house and has not ascended to where most spirits go. Enter Amos (Glen-Paul Waru) a Security Officer and amateur paranormal investigator and he becomes an ally to Kylie as both try to figure out who killed the young girl years ago. At this point the movie becomes a murder mystery and not about a haunted house. The big clue Kylie finds are dentures that Kylie believes belonged to the killer.
This is a true Sleeper, a movie that is very good, but no one knows about...yet. It is not scary, but could have been; somewhat comedic at times; and you will encounter many misdirections. Okay, I did jump when a hand grabbed Kylie's leg in the basement and actually, when you finish the movie you ask yourself why did that happen. Didn't make sense. But jump I did.
Notables: Cameron Rhodes as Dennis, a court appointed Therapist; Mick Innes as Kraglund, who skins racoons, looks like a suspicious character and Kylie knows he wears dentures; Ryan Lampp as Eugene, a drifter that Kraglund lets stay in a secluded space and won't leave; Ross Harper as Graeme, Miriam's husband.
The cinematography and stunts choreography, superb pacing and excellent acting all around are what makes this movie compelling to watch as we never know the direction the story will take. The problem throughout is that Kylie knows the truth, but can find no one to believe her. Well, except Amos.
A New Zealand film that should have been given more and better promotion. It's really good. A true Sleeper. (9/10)
Violence: Yes.
Sex: No.
Nudity: No.
Humor: Yes.
Scary Moments: Not really, but could have been.
Language: No.
Rating: A
