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Cast: Michael Berryman, J LaRose, Randy Molnar, Bill Cobbs, Sylvia Boykin, Aerica D'Amaro
A simple man, Dr. Walter Newman, has high aspirations to cure all disease through genetic manipulation. His obsession with his mission draws him deeper into his own dark world, distracting him from his wife Olivia and from his responsibilities to his patients at the Edgewood Asylum. The doctors loyal but diabolical nurse, Ms. Tinsley, decides to take matters into her own hands and in secret she conducts her own experiment. When Dr. Newman realizes what has been done, a deformed creature that defies nature is created. Part human, part nightmare. Dr. Newman knows what he must do, but is it already too late?
"The Tenant" is a new horror flick from Writer/Director, Ric La Monte, the film is about a doctor who is working on a cure for all diseases by using genetic manipulation. The problem is his obsession with finding a cure is taking him away from his patients at Edgewood Asylum and it is putting a strain on his marriage as well. When his wife Olivia tells him she is pregnant with twins she also lets him know he is going to have to give up his research and focus on their marriage and his patients which is something his nurse doesn't take kindly to. Angry that his wife forced him to give up his work nurse Tinsley takes matters into her own hands when during an ultrasound she secretly injects Olivia with the doctor's untested vaccine. When the time comes for the birth of their twins the unthinkable happens, while one child, a girl is born normal the second one, a boy is born deformed and is out for blood. Dr. Newman must do the only thing he can so he enters the room where the deformed baby is with a loaded pistol, the scene cuts away as we hear gun shots. The film quickly jumps 28 years and we see Liz Hollman from the Ralyn Center for the deaf with her ex-con driver and some kids from the center driving during a wet and very cold night when they suddenly get a flat tire. Desperate to find shelter for the night they stumble upon the the asylum which is now closed down but what they don't know is when they enter they will not be alone and slowly one by one they fall prey to an evil creature.
The film pretty much follows the formula of other films like it but it also brings to the table some of it's own ideas as well. For the budget which I assume was minimal here the film looks good and the make-up effects are very well done. Plus once it gets going there is plenty of action,gore and scares to please all fan's of the genre. Another thing the film has going for it is it's cast, Randy Molnar is terrific as the doctor and Sylvia Boykin plays the looney nurse perfectly. Also horror legend, Michael Berryman is awesome as one of the doctor's main patients and test subject. Bill Cobbs is also in the film as well but it is really just a cameo which was a bummer because I love this man's acting and finally Aerica D'Amaro is great as Liz, a young woman that will soon find out about her dark family history. The film takes place in the asylum and the dark hallways, empty, run-down rooms help in creating just the right amount of atmosphere. "The Tenant" is a fun, gore-filled thrill ride that creates some good scares and there is even a few unexpected twists tossed in towards the end the first of which I never seen coming. "The Tenant" will be in theaters on February 26(Florida only) and it comes to DVD in April. The film rises above it's modest budget by creating a story with some clever twists and having a cast that truly delivers. If you like horror I suggest checking it out either in Florida on the big screen or when it hits DVD in the spring. For more information you can visit the film's Official Site HERE.
Released by Indican Pictures
*** 1/2 Out Of *****