This was a film that I got to watch via screener thanks to Amelia from Strike Media. Now I like to support independent cinema when I can. Seeing that this was a 2024 release, the poster looked interesting and the title also caught my attention. Knowing that this was a low-budget horror film also helps to round out my list for the end of year. I did come in just knowing the information provided here.
Synopsis: in 1984, a family throws a birthday party for siblings. 30 years later, members of the family reunite at two isolated houses in a forest, where horrific truths are uncovered about their occult pact with an ancient evil that's enabled their wealth and power.
We start this at the party from the synopsis back in 1984. It is Cory (Max Dimitrov) and Jessie's (Maddie Crofts) party. Also in attendance are their family members. Of note would be Rex (Hugo Wilkinson). He befriends Pamela (Elizabeth Arends) who claims to be a witch. He wants her to do a spell or show him magic. She pokes his finger with a needle, causing it to bleed. She drops it into a cup, informing him that they're now bound together.
This then shifts to the present. Cory has grown to be played by Cradeaux Alexander. He is staying with Lars (Christopher Sherwood). This is an ex who he has rekindled with. The reason that Cory is here is that this father passed away so the estate needs to be settled. Also in the area is Fiona (Heather Cairns), who is a sister that left Cory behind. She got away from the family and emancipated herself at 16. This doesn't sit well with Cory and he doesn't think that she should be included in the inheritance. Also here is Rex, now played by Rohan Quine. Strange things start to happen though.
We are privy to the idea that Rex is still intertwined with Pamela, now Imogen Smith. Everyone is here to get their cut of what was left and the greed is high. Not everyone is as they seem and they all might not be able to be trusted. There is more to what happened 30 years ago. Everything finally comes to a head as greed and power fuel everyone that wants their piece.
That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that this has good things going for it. As the story developed, the title of the film made more sense. It is a play on words that I enjoyed. The stage is set from the start that Pamela is a witch. We then see her do this spell on Rex. Shifting from then to the present, there are little things that make sense if you're paying attention. This includes items disappearing. Once dots are connected, it comes together so credit there.
Now that I've set that up, let me delve deeper. Cory seems like a successful guy. Alexander also wrote and directed this, as a heads up. I do not know much about his real life, but in this world he is gay. I'm inclined to believe that he is in real life as well. This film overall falls into being LGBTQ+. It doesn't matter though outside of seeing Cory with Lars. I got the idea that Rex is also gay, which isn't an issue or necessarily adding anything overall. What I will say is that I like how snarky Cory is, especially when he gets annoyed. There's also the idea that he'll do whatever it takes to get his way. The deeper into the story we go, it becomes clear that this is a wealthy family and the surviving members are greedy. If they aren't, those that are accuse them of having a similar mindset, which adds to the overall feeling of distrust. It fit what they were going for.
Breaking down the title more, there is the witchcraft thread. Pamela wants to inherit what she feels belongs to her. There's also this idea that Cory could be inheriting the problems that befell his father. The other side of this is that Rex is collaborating with her. He is collecting items or aiding in rituals. I'm a sucker with films that involve witchcraft, rituals and cults. How it was handled was positive. It kept me curious to see where this would go. This aspect helps build to the climax that I appreciated.
The story isn't the deepest part as it is more about the characters, so I'll go there next. Alexander is good for our lead. He has an interesting blend of snark with compassion. He says he doesn't like Fiona, but he does allow her to visit. What is good there is he hears her out, while also needing to get off his chest what needs to be said. Quine works as this cousin who had his life changed all those years ago. Cairns works as this estranged sibling. Sherwood as well as this lover to Cory. I wasn't expecting his character to go where it did. Smith fits as this witch who is aging. Arends, Dimitrov and Wilkinson work as the younger version of characters. Crofts, Graham Pountney and the rest of the cast rounded this out for what was needed as well.
All that is left then is filmmaking. I thought how this was shot was good. The cinematography doesn't do anything to necessarily stand out. I did like framing though, especially for things that were found in the basement of the estate. They capture the isolation of the two locations being out in the woods. That is aided by Fiona needing to ride her bike to get to either place. The ritual stuff looked good, but there isn't much there. This has limited effects. What we do looks good. There is more with performances as people are affected by spells. Other than that, the sound design and music helped to fit the tone this film needed.
In conclusion, this film does have things working in its favor. I'm a sucker for films about witches, cults and rituals. We get that here with the backdrop of a father passing away, so the children are converging for the reading of the will. It is an interesting look at a rich family from there. The acting helps to carry this. No one stands out as great, but they bring personality to their characters which is good. I'd also say that this is made well enough. The best part would be seeing the spells affect people and capturing that isolated feel of where it takes place. Not a great film, but definitely one that works in the framework that they're using.
My Rating: 6 out of 10.
