I watched this film last night, and I was quite impressed. It encompassed everything I would hope from a low-budget independent film, but always find myself disappointed time and again. This film gallantly strayed from the usual excessive blood and guts and T & A that some filmmakers use to make up for a nothing story line, and I applaud director Dav Kaufman for having the guts to break free from the routine and tired formula and present something not only suspenseful, but fresh and entertaining as well
especially on his debut film. That's a risk the majority of filmmakers are afraid to take, even seasoned ones, and it paid off rather well. I know from experience that this director has a career in front of him.
The relationships between the thieves I found both intriguing and believable. I can't help but to wonder how things would have turned out for them if the ghosts didn't intervene. The acting talents of the cast (who I assume on a low-budget film such as this were paid nothing) while certainly not Oscar worthy, but served their characters well. What was obvious was that they understood their characters enough to make us believe their motivations, their struggles, and their internal conflicts, or lack thereof as is the case with the older brother.
This film reminded me of the subtle Hitchcockian suspense films of the old days. It's not what you're shown that scares you, it's what you're led to believe might happen that does. But I also think that with today's more sophisticated and cynical audiences, this film may be placed in the "underappreciated" category.
I see some others have inaccurately compared this movie to the likes of Reservoir Dogs. Comparing the two is like comparing a Mercedes to a School Bus because they both have four tires and a windshield. By that rationale, every zombie movie is a rip-off of every other zombie movie, every vampire film, every football or baseball film, and so on.
If all you watch movies in this genre for is to be shocked by graphic and gory scenes which pose as a sacrifice for a good, solid story, and does nothing but insult your intelligence, then this is not the film for you. If you prefer a more sophisticated, keep-you-hooked suspense film with an intriguing story then I highly recommend this one! I look forward to more from this director.
