THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER (2018)

Directed By: Douglas Sikes

Written By: Christopher Ford 

Cinematography: Luke McCoubrey

Editor: Megan Brooks and Andrew Hasse 

Cast: Dylan McDermott, Charlie Plummer, Madisen Beaty, Samantha Mathis, Emma Jones, Lance Chantiles-Wertz, Jonathan Riggs, Mark Nash 

A picture-perfect family is shattered when the work of a serial killer hits too close to home.

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This film is an interesting take on a serial killer. Where it asks what would you do if you found out that your parent might have been a serial killer.

What is most inventive of the film is that for a film about a serial killer and his killings. There is only One scene of true violence and luckily it’ not that explicit. Even as it delves into the killings throughout. 

The killisngs take place in the midwest in a heavily religious Community. Where it is happening right beneath their noses, by one of their own.

The true reason for the killings is more about power and control. Though eventually what seems to have kept him at bay was if he couldn’t have the actual thrill of the kill. It was the memory and having evidence as reminders. 

The second half shows that while this is based on various serial killers. It’s not a true story. As no one would admit to the actions of the third act.

The film presents it’s story bare and matter of factly. It doesn’t go for anything gratuitous or exploitive. It plays more like a racy Tv-movie of the same subject. Only not trying to put it down or diminish it’s strength in storytelling. It just feels there is little subtlety and goes for just straight shooting. Though there is a narrative disturbance that is creative and effective to

A degree. Maybe because it also revolves around an actor who was a big television star.

The strength of the filmmaking shows in that ot’s a horror film, built on tension and not gratuitous violence or sex ABD again for a film that couldneasilt have been a television movie on the subjects. It’s still haunting the audience after the film is done. Putting it’s Characters to make the hardest decisions in the worst situations. 

Dylan Mcdermott and Charlie Plummer both hit it out if the park in their roles. Which have so many layers and depth. That you constantoy believe them. 

In the end thenfiom breaks down into a character study of a father and son. The actions and suspicions set forth. As at first it plays like a mystery and then once learning the truth. The consequences of each actions.

Grade: B- 

SEANCE (2021)

Written & Directed By: Simon Barrett
Cinematography: Karim Hussein
Editor: James Vandewater

Cast: Suki Waterhouse, Ella-Rae Smith, Madisen Beaty, Stephanie Sy, Inanna Sarkis, Djouloet Amara, Jade Michael, Seamus Patterson, Marina Stephenson

At the prestigious Fairfield Academy, an elite boarding school for girls, six friends jokingly engage in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. Before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened.


This is an old-school type of horror film that builds towards the payoff rather than offering cheap thrills all upfront. 

It offers a little of every type even though at heart it is one really.

While the film is predictable it does try to offer a few surprises and keep you on your toes. As it stays entertaining even while it takes its time. 

The film is perfect for its target audience of teenage girls. As it is not over the top violent. Seems more focused on moods and scares than violence. Letting the audience know and see the dangers. Dwelling on it but not going overboard. 

The cast mostly looks like regulars on the CW teen shows. More attractive than normal. So that it feels like a very special episode of one of Their original shows and the characters are way more snarky than also. 

This film feels more like a genre exercise that feels refreshing if not also familiar. While feeling also indebted to the 1980s with only a few modern touches. 

One can admire it for what it tries to be for the audience and can be for those or familiar with it’s type. An excellent starter horror film. 

It’s better than one might expect it would be. 

GRADE: C+