To Become One

I don't watch a lot of horror movies and those ones that I do, have to be exceptional in some way. And this was one of those.

This movie is not one of your run of the mill teenage slasher fests – it is something more. It was thought provoking and original. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first minute. Trying to work out who the murderer was – then trying to work out why and then the amazing twist that left me totally dumbfounded.

I read about this movie in a 4 page article in the magazine devoted to all things horror - Fangoria (# 215, the August 2002 issue). The article was about 2 of Neil Johnson's movies – this one and "The Demons in My Head". I quite enjoyed John's review of Demons which I have also seen. To read John's review of Demons click on the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.

What I want to know is, how could this movie – a movie made with these incredible production values – values that make this movie look like it was made for several million dollars – have only cost $2,000 to make? which is less than 1/10 the cost of the Blair Witch project! The Fangoria article does give some idea – but I still can't believe that anyone could have done it. It would appear that only someone with almost 2 decades in the business would have the contacts and the know-how to do it! The Fangoria article also describes how Neil Johnson on "To Become One" also wrote, directed and then took over the duties of Director of Photography and Production Manager! I believe that this multi-talented director also did all the post-production work as well. With all the difficulties of the production as described in Fangoria – he has produced an imaginative and thought provoking production of unparalleled quality.

I thought that John's review of this movie was brilliant – this review truly reflected my impressions of this movie.

And although Chrisie's review was rather negative (did she really say that Peter Jackson came from Australia? – I'm surprised that she was unaware of Peter Jackson's very proud New Zealand origins and it sort of puts the rest of the information she used in doubt), Chrisie did actually give a fairly good précis of what the movie was about when she said that "Melinda is an uncannily unlucky teen." But the rest of her review, for me, is way off the mark.

I think that Neil Johnson's words from Fangoria say it all … "As a director, I think it is important to move the audience with emotion. 'To Become One' leaves the viewer feeling eerie, and hopefully a little haunted. Where we have become dead to so many darker emotions, this film succeeds as being totally creepy, and for that I am proud."

My feelings exactly.

I expected this to be a standard slasher film with teenagers, but was very surprised. About half way through the film, it takes a left turn into the really bizarre territory of mind control. My friends and I watched this, trying to predict who the murderer was, but found this was a film we could not predict. The concept is very original and creepy. I cannot say more as it will give too much of the plot away. Watch it in the dark and expect something new. i read about the making of this film in American Fangoria mag. Apparently the budget was only $2000, but it looks like it cost a million or so. Well directed and well acted all around. I would recommend this to someone who likes horror with a twist.

To Become One is a Tomb of Terrors film from down under! It's an interesting idea sloppily executed. It starts out as a slasher than turns into a hospital/cult horror drama with a sort of reverse Basket Case scenario only without the deformed twin. The ending in a cave gets stabby. Overlong and poorly made though with an interesting idea. There's worse on the Tomb of Terrors box set.

I saw the trailer for this and was not expecting it to be anything more than a slasher film. Boy was i wrong. It begins as a normal slasher movie and then about 40 minutes in, it changes. That's when it gets really creepy. I really enjoyed the character moments in the first half. The second half just gave me nightmares. I would like to say i will watch this film again but I do not think I can do this. It freaked me way too much. It shows a lot of depth and is different from the director's first movie, Demons in My Head. I see he shot this one himself and the results are much better than his first outing. the film has a real visual mood. The picture quality on the DVD could have been better, but at least it was letter boxed. I hope you enjoy this film as much as I did. I wish i had the courage to watch it again. The British doctor in the film is great, and very sexy for an older man.

This film highlights the dangers of camcorders. Whereas even the likes of awful low budget grade-Z directors like Ed Wood.Jr (Plan 9 from Outer Space, etc) had to be able to afford big, heavy equipment like cameras, lighting, etc, now anyone with a cheapish camcorder and some friends can make a lousy film!

This should be made compulsory viewing as an example at how not to make a movie. It starts off as a slasher genre like 'Friday the 13th', etc and then moves into 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest', or 'Snakepit' psycho babble terroriser and even Jim Jones suicide death cult! A complete inept mess. Don't confuse a jumble of bad ideas for original concepts.

The acting is terrible, gurning rules here, all Jim Carrey facial distortions, the directing is all over the shop and the script seems to be from about half a dozen different ones.

It only ran for nearly 90 minutes but it seemed so much longer....