Dead Whisper

Found this movie confusing from the beginning and thought the acting was terrible (especially the 'evil' laughing!). Don't waste your time on it, sadly I persevered to the end in the hope it would get better and make sense but was so disappointed and won't get that time back. I'm sure this was meant to be something clever with a deep meaning but honestly didn't get it at all. I read the concept of the movie and the desperation at a time of grief but couldn't connect with the storyline or the characters. This movie had scored high on other review sites...not sure what movie they watched but can't understand their ratings if it was the same one!

The scene is the seashore. Somehow a pay phone -- which we don't have any more anywhere -- is situated about 12 feet from the water and it's ringing. I horrible actress answers it and she knows who's calling.

This very first scene, which lasts maybe 2 minutes gives you an idea how utterly bad this movie is going to be.

The acting across the board is dismal. The exposition is incredibly slow. The jump scares are dumb and embarrassingly insulting.

This movie is perhaps the worst film I have seen in 20 years. The one, and only, good thing I can say about this train wreck of a movie is that the scenery is nice.

That's it.

Some filmmakers seem to think that drawn-out, needlessly cryptic dialog will make their creation come off more cerebral. It doesn't. Had the writer/director relied more on the visuals of this film, they might have had something here. Unfortunately, whatever potential dread they were going for is weighed down to a slog by endless pseudo-intellectual sounding exposition. I'm guessing they thought it was making the story more interesting, when it reality it was doing just the opposite. I'm not really sure who Dead Whisper is intended for. It's going bore the hell out of mainstream audiences, and I imagine even cinephiles are going to have a hard time getting through this one.

I love finding gems like this, like so many great nights renting movies like The Wicker Man, and The Others on VHS. Beautiful visuals with vintage cinematic vibes, an engaging story that pulls you into each scene, and that minimalist kind of creepiness that is more unsettling than horrifying.

If 'North Atlantic' could be a horror / suspense subgenre, I'd place Dead Whisper squarely in that category. There's something about films made in New England, Ireland, and the UK that sew together dreary landscapes, misty maritime themes, and the fear of things we can't control into unique stories that are continually engaging. If that's your jam, this will not disappoint!

"Dead Whisper," co-written by Conor Soucy and Colin Charles Dale, takes audiences on a chilling journey into grief and temptation. Set against the eerie backdrop of a secluded island, the film follows Elliot Campbell (played by Samuel Dunning), a Cape Cod lawyer haunted by the loss of his daughter.

The Good: New England Cinematography and Art House Vibes

Cinematography: Ben Grant's lens captures the haunting beauty of the island. Mist-covered shores and abandoned buildings create an atmosphere of dread, making the setting a character in its own right.

Art House Aesthetics: The film's deliberate pacing and visual choices evoke an art house sensibility. Fans of indie cinema will appreciate its unique style.

The Not-So-Good: Pacing, Story, and Mixed Acting

Pacing: The film's uneven pacing, especially in the first half, detracts from the tension it aims to build. Some scenes feel drawn out, while others rush through crucial moments.

Story: While the premise-a grieving father's desperate wish to reunite with his lost child-is compelling, execution occasionally falters. Predictable plot points and genre tropes hinder the impact.

Acting: Samuel Dunning's portrayal of Elliot Campbell is the emotional core, capturing vulnerability and determination. However, supporting characters like Elise and Jackson lack depth.

In summary, "Dead Whisper" succeeds in creating a haunting and atmospheric experience, but its execution leaves room for improvement. If you appreciate indie horror and can overlook pacing issues, it's worth a watch.