That is the only way to review this film.
The goal of every journeyman film-maker from the beginning of the medium to the present, is to produce something that has the most impact per dollar spent.
Think of the first Night of the Living Dead. Shot on location with unknowns and local residents as extras. And the local butcher donated the entrails.
Think Ginger Snaps, which started as an obscure Canadian horror flick but found an audience because of the great writing and the charisma of its stars.
What we have here is another attempt to strike film gold by going for a high I/B ratio.
A small cast. Minimal special effects. No special sets or backgrounds.
A really clever idea, sort of a take off on the Ring which itself was a riff off a Japanese horror classic.
So what's the bottom line? Well done for what you get. Writer/Director Mitchell has a heck of a career ahead of him. Several "jump out of your seat" moments. And also a plot riff which you just know was contributed by some of the frat boys who crowd-sourced the film -- "you can get rid of the curse if you just sleep with someone, fast!"
The bad news? It is not in the same class as Living Dead or Ginger. There are lulls. There are gaps. There are times you start to wish you have purchased the extra large popcorn and coke.
Great career launch.
