The Place For The Latest Movie Reviews
Cast: Robin Weigert, Anthony Carrigan, Jay O. Sanders, Sybil Temtchine, Wes Studi
Seduced by the ghost of a Civil War soldier, whose spirit dwells in her new home, Dr. Barbara Haughton contrives to have him live again in the body of a man who died in her hospital. But, it's this man's violent past that may affect Barbara's desired future. Is this ghost now the gentle soul he appears to be? Or someone much darker?
Barbara recently lost her fiance in a freak accident so she is some what vulnerable and when the owner of the home she is thinking about renting mentions the legend of a civil war soldier who is suppose to be haunting the house and the fact that he had a true love Barbara some how feels a connection of sorts. In the mean time a man is brought into the hospital where she is working with severe stab wounds, when it is determined that he isn't going to make it the decision is made by his wife to take him off life support. His wife has no remorse for her decision because this man, Donovan was a nasty person with a history of violence. After reading online about how to help ghosts Barbara makes a split second decision to revive Donovan and sneak him home with her in hopes the ghost, Elijah will except the body. Well the idea works and Elijah is reborn but inside the body of a man who cannot be trusted.
"The Undying" is a thriller with a bit of a supernatural twist to it. Horror it's not except for a few jump scares early on in the film. I really liked the whole idea of the story, blending supernatural elements with romance and thriller, it's been done before but it still had a fresh feel to it. Director, Steven Peros does a good job blending the genres together and keeping the film moving at a nice pace. To talk too much about the story would only ruin it so I think what is already written is about as much as you need to know. The cast was another plus, Robin Weigert, Anthony Carrigan, Jay O. Sanders, Sybil Temtchine and Wes Studi all give excellent performances and the film looks and sounds great.
The whole idea of Barbara thinking that what she did and what happened was okay is more than a bit creepy, we understand that she is not taking her meds when her best friend finds them in the trash but to even attempt something like this let alone be okay with it is disturbing but it works well with with the romance angle. If you're expecting a horror from this with scary parts I suggest you look elsewhere because you're not going to get it here but if you're looking for something a bit different from the normal films you might have been seeing lately then I suggest picking this one up. There's a little creepiness, some decent suspense and a twist ending that is sure to please most that are willing to give the film a chance. I liked this film a lot more than I expecting to, I'm not sure why really but it is a well made Indie thriller with a great cast and a interesting enough premise. The film isn't overly violent and there's not much in the way of blood and there's no nudity but the story never seems to need any of that stuff and is quite effective without them so I recommend giving it a chance.
Released by MTI Home Video
*** Out Of *****