AN TAIBHSE (THE GHOST)
Director: John Farrelly.
With: Tom Kerrisk, Livvy Hill, Tony Murray.
Ireland 2024. 93 mins.
First Irish language horror film, a father and daughter fleeing the famine, a big deserted house they’re caretaking, all means plenty of Gothic potential. To this end, there’s plenty of walking dark hallways by lantern light, but as soon as dad starts chopping wood, we can guess where this is going. All the old school atmosphere is increasing forfeited by recourse to blaring jump scares and build-ups ending in moments designed for or inspired by trailers. And strobing. On the plus, the cast and atmosphere are strong and there’s plenty here to root for. A prolonged sequence with a wardrobe door that won’t stay shut and a drinking binge with the father that signals temporal displacement are highlights.
Bookworm
Director: Ant Timpson.
With: Elijah Wood, Nell Fisher, Michael Smiley, Morganna O’Reilly.
New Zealand 2024. 103 mins.
Not a horror, but an odd couple buddy scenario when washed-up illusionist Elijah Woods has to take care of estranged and very, very precocious daughter Nell Fisher. We know where it’s going but Woods is at his most puppy-dog lost endearing and Fisher is aggravating, but deliberately so, and eloquent. It’s soft, funny, dabbles a little in near-Magic Realism with a panther at large and probably pushes its limits with life-threatening adventurism. But it comes fully garnished with gorgeous New Zealand scenery and an appearance by Michael Smiley.
Ghost Game
Director: Jill Gervargizian.
With: Emily Bennett, Kia Dorsey, Zaen Haidar, Vienna Maas.
USA 2024. 90 minutes.
Possessed of an inescapable flatness in all departments (which is very disappointing as Gevargizian’s ‘The Stylist’ has a lot to offer). The poster has more colour than the entire film.
Shelby Oaks
Director: Chris Stuckmann.
With: Camille Sullivan, Keith David, Michael Beach, Sarah Durn.
USA 2024. 99 mins.
Starts off as found footage mystery - disappeared YouTube paranormal investigators! - and moves on to other areas in an entertaining manner. (Director asked not to spoil too much.)
The Hitcher
Director: Robert Harmon.
With: C. Thomas Howell, Rutger Hauer, Jennnifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey DeMunn.
USA 1986. 98 mins.
Not having seen for decades, the restoration reacquaintance shows just how lean and mean with a pedal-to-the-metal pacing this always was. That’s why its reputation has been solid all this time. Rutger Hauer is terrifying and seductive; Thomas C Howell is thoroughly credible as the barely capable victim the Hitcher picks on. 80s action excess and existential crisis perfectly balanced: you hire a car to set across country to determine your masculinity but end up picking up its biggest threat.
Hauntology
Director: Parker Brennon.
With: Nancy Loomis, Samantha Robinson, Naomi Grossman, Zoey Luna.
USA 2024. 103 mins.
A mild horror coloured by LGBTQ concerns and themes of race. A feather boa of horror.
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