The Ceremony - Invito mortale

At first I thought it was a movie about a random woman who, by chance, is invited to a party full of vampires, and she resourcefully kills them all using her wits. So I was not really that interested when it first came out because I was tired of seeing all powerful vampires being easily killed just because our characters know they were vampires. However, the interesting thing about this movie, is that it plays like a romance movie mixed with vampire horror. There are a few kills sprinkled to remind you this is a horror movie, but a majority of the time is Nathalie Emmanuel romancing with Thomas Doherty in an aristocratic setting until the vampire horror stuff starts. This is where Emmanuel believably plays victim to circumstances, and she is not become an all powerful heroine who easily kills the villain in the end. She struggles in every thing. Another interesting is how the movie drops hints throughout the story, and you would see how it all fits. But I think the ending was too rushed and not impactful enough. The build up was slow and when it reached the part where the conspiracy unfolds, and everything is revealed, some characters change so inorganically to look menacing but it does not work. Fortunately, Nathalie Emmanuel's character seemed consistent, and many others too. So you even after the reveal, you could understand why they are acting that way. I also like the after credit scene. I don't know if it hints a sequel, or just an epilogue but it is interesting.

"The Invitation" is a movie with a simple script and nothing avant-garde but it manages to entertain, it also presents some well-written characters, it is worth noting the gothic romance story. The best thing is its cinematography that is outstanding and that together with the filming locations achieve a great gothic atmosphere, the cinematographer Autumn Eakin takes a fantasy nightmare to a spectacular level. The performances are well done and the director knows how to translate her ideas on the screen. Without being a masterpiece, "The Invitation" is a decent movie that deserves some attention!

"The Invitation" reminded me of 90s superband "Backstreet Boys" and their video for "Everybody: Backstreet' s Back" with dancing vampires, werewolves, and zombies in a gothic castle under the fool moon (yes, I am such a boomer, I know!).

Even few naïve Americans and very dramatic red dress included!

The bad thing: "Everybody: Backstreet' s Back" had a better plot (yes, you read me correctly). And you can watch it free of charge on Youtube in three minutes.

The good thing: there are few nice jokes in the movie. Actors look so much better, and no one is singing. That' s a really big bonus, you have to agree.

The beginning showed real promise all the actors new what they were doing even if there was a lack of meaningful dialogue at times which ment their characters didn't really go anywhere eg shaun pertwee is a really good actor with real presence but was sadly underused and whos character could of added some sadly needed menace .the real problem with this film is it just lost momentum half way through and became lame and predictable the fight between the female vampires actually made me laugh out loud as it deteriorated into what looked like a drunken cat fight ! .a real shame as I love a gothic horror.

Evie traces back her family tree, and travels to England to meet her relatives, it isn't long before she discovered her family's dark secrets.

Wasted potential, that's the first thought I had a jury this movie, it could and should have been a good watch, but ultimately it disappointed.

First off, this ridiculous portrayal of The Brits, how come Americans ways get it so wrong, Britain felt like a strange setting for this vampire story, but the first stumbling block, the setting. Clearly not Britain, actually Hungary, it looked totally foreign, Hungary itself may have been a better setting.

That house looks as English as an Eagle sat on top of The Capitol building.

I really did enjoy that initial setup, and the characters, but as the horror element is revealed it just falls apart, the mystery and intrigue vanishes, along with the enjoyment.

Too predictable, it offers nothing new, and almost every other vampire film I can think of offers a whole lot more. The only plus, some of the special effects looked decent.

4/10.