Review by RMurray847

ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is one of those low budget movies that essentially went directly to the Shudder network, and to physical media (I saw the blu ray of it). It has so much going for it, but in the end, falls prey to that most predictable and frustrating element that dooms so many horror movies: it fumbles the ending. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this movie might have actually had a decent theatrical release if someone had told director Justin Dyck and writer Keith Cooper to completely scrap the last 10 minutes or so (and in particular the last 1 minute) and try again.

As it stands, this was a 6 star movie for me, until it became a 3 star movie in its final minutes. I'm giving it 5 stars, rounding up because most of it was, indeed, enjoyable.

And elderly couple, Audrey (Sheila McCarthy) and Henry (Julian Richings), a family practice doctor, recently lost their daughter and grandson tragically. And because they are satanists, they believe they can bring their beloved Jackson back to them by conducting a sort of reverse exorcism in which they spirit of Jackson will be forced into the body of an unborn child (who is being carried by Becker, a patient of Henry's, played by Konstantina Mantelos). Good idea, right? What could possibly go wrong?

The movie doesn't shy away from violence and it doesn't shy away at all from the horrific nature of the plan this kooky couple has concocted. But it is also a bit playful with some sly humor. One example: the small satanist society gathers for "prayer meetings" in a dingy community center, around folding tables, with snacks being brought for afterwards by one of the members. They feel more like a very small AA gathering than a group of dangerous Satan worshippers. Audrey and Henry have many amusing interactions, particularly when Audrey gently (or not so gently) berates Henry over little mistakes and oversights. A fellow church-goer, Ian (Josh Cruddas) lives in his mom's basement...hardly a new idea, but it takes a known movie cliché and spoofs it by emulating it.

As things, inevitably, begin to go wrong, the violence ratchets up, as does the pressure on Audrey and Henry. We find they will, indeed, do pretty much Anything for Jackson, but that they've also selected in Becker a victim who is just going to go down without a fight. And the supernatural elements that invade their house have agendas of their own too.

It's all bloody good fun, walking a nice line between taking itself seriously and have a bit of fun. And while most of the performances are perfunctory at best, McCarthy & Richings are delightfully off-kilter and clearly having an absolute blast. They are the best reason, by far, to watch the movie.

But, as I mentioned, the ending is botched. First, we're treated to over-the-top supernatural shenanigans and violence as the movie nears its end. Rather than turning up the tension or adding to the fear, everything just becomes loud and confusing. Events happen TOO quickly and dialogue gets trampled over by everything else going on and much is left unexplained. There seems to be no reason for much of the horrible things that happen, other than to just be creepy and awful. And the final scene of the film completely falls flat; I couldn't even quite see what was going on, much less infer any meaning. And then it ends. I wanted to hurl my remote control at the TV! I had enjoyed so much of this film, and was SO let down.

So, despite some surprisingly fun moments, I just can't bring myself to recommend it. ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is a near-miss, but it's still a miss.