"The Messengers"
Directed by: Oxide Pang, Danny Pang. Starring: Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller, John Corbett, Evan Turner, Theodore Turner.
"The Messengers" is a somewhat scary thriller/drama that tries to set itself apart from mainstream horror by infusing more of a dramatic story than is usually expected from horror films. That component of it reminded me of an M. Night Shyamalan film, but without the slickness of that director.
“The Messengers” revolves around the Soloman family who has just traded in life in the city for North Dakota farm living, much to the dismay of their teenage daughter. Jess (Kristen Stewart) resents her parents (Dylan McDermott and Penelope Ann Miller) for taking her away from all her friends in Chicago to the middle of nowhere.
As the film opens, we see another family chased and killed by an unknown attacker. Later, the Soloman family pulls up to the same old creepy farmhouse where those attacks occurred. From the moment they arrive, Jess and Ben (Evan & Theodore Turner), her toddler brother, hear and see things that their parents cannot. When Jess complains about the house to her parents, she's mostly ignored. Her parents know how unhappy she is there and how much she wants to return to Chicago so they brush off her complaints. At the same time her brother appears to be watching "invisible" creatures. Being such a young child, he's more curious than afraid by what he sees.
Eventually, Jess makes friends with some kids in the neighborhood. Her father, with the help of Burwell (John Corbett), a wandering handyman/farmer, plants a successful sunflower crop. Jess also makes an attempt to reconcile her damaged relationship with her mother and for a brief moment all is well in the Soloman household. But, this is a horror film and, of course, that tranquility can't last. Soon the activity increases and although Jess has partially mended her relationship with her parents, they still don't believe the strange things she insists she's been seeing in the house. From that point on, it's she and her brother against the ghosts.
"The Messengers" reminded me of a lot of other horror films, including "The Amityville Horror", “The Shining” and "The Birds". While there are several "jump out of your seat" moments in the film, overall it's full of slower moving, tension building moments and it doesn't depend as much on gore as some recent films in this genre do. I found it to be a bit predictable and uneven, but a fairly entertaining film that's, if you enjoy this genre, at least worth renting.
Story: C
Acting: B-
Visuals: B-
Originality: C
Enjoyability: B-
Overall: B-
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