The Frightening (2002)

User Rating:

2.1/10   

Director:

David DeCoteau

Writer:

Matthew Jason Walsh (writer)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A Slash Course in Terror!

Plot:

It's Corey Peterson's first day at Hallow End High School when he discovers that there's a rash of murders occuring on campus. It's a battle of jocks versus the geeks and Corey is forced to choose sides.

Plot Keywords:

High School | Wrestler | Principal | Death | Murder

Cast

Matthew Twining	...	Corey Peterson (as Matt Twining)
James E. Foley	...	Mason (as James Foley)
Jack Carlisle	...	Perry (as Jack Carlisle III)
Mark Ian Miller	...	Niles (as Mark Miller)
Greg Lyczkowski	...	Tom
Derek Phipps	...	Greg
Tanya Dempsey	...	Tanya
Robert Donavan	...	Principal Rizcheck
Scott Clark	...	Hooper
Keary Ann Bixby	...	Shanie
Kyle Lupo	...	Wyatt (as Kyle Patrick)
Kara Schaaf	...	Bridget
Dan Carlson	...	Kelso
Charity Rahmer	...	Beth
Elizabeth Bruderman	...	Miss Birch

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/gore.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Alexander Hamilton High School - 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Palms District, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Amsell Entertainment

Trivia:

Filmed at Hollywood High School in Hollywood, CA and Hamilton High School in West Los Angeles, CA.

Movie Connections:

References Stop the World: I Want to Get Off (1966)

Good Premise, Terrible Screenplay and Edition

The eighteen years old Corey Peterson (Matt Twining) moves with his mother to a small town due a trauma in the past. On his first day at Hallows End High School, he is approached by the student also new arrival in town Mason (James Foley) that tells him about a death of a friend of him in the school and advises Corey to stay away from the wrestler Perry (Jack Carlisle III) and his gang. When two other students vanish, Corey decides to talk to Principal Rizcheck (Robert Donavan), who does not give any attention to him. Together with Mason, they investigate the secret about the school and disclose the dark truth about Hallows End and the missing students.

"The Frightening" has a good premise, but the screenplay and the edition are terrible. The story is flawed, but entertaining and watchable; however, the use of annoying noises and music score, and the successive cuts in many scenes are really irritating. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Grito de Pavor" ("Fright Scream")