From Within (2008)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Phedon Papamichael

Writer (WGA):

Brad Keene (written by)

Release Date:

3 June 2009 (Philippines)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If you believe in the light, you've got to believe in the dark

Plot:

The residents of a small American town begin to die one-by-one apparently by suicide...

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Hanging | Ghost | Splatter | Small Town

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Elizabeth Rice	...	Lindsay
Thomas Dekker	...	Aidan
Kelly Blatz	...	Dylan
Laura Allen	...	Trish
Adam Goldberg	...	Roy
Margo Harshman	...	Sadie
Rumer Willis	...	Natalie
Brittany Robertson	...	Claire
Steven Culp	...	Pastor Joe
Jared Harris	...	Bernard
Amanda Babin	...	Molly
Michelle Babin	...	Evil Molly
Candace Scholz	...	Mary
David Ariniello	...	Paul
Jamie Linck O'Brien	...	Kelly (as Jamie O'Brien)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, disturbing images and some language.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (35 mm version) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Havre de Grace, Maryland, USA

Company:

Burgundy Films

Goofs:

Continuity: Before Aidan and Lindsey run into the woods, Aidan is holding a gun and the book. While they are running through, he doesn't have the book anymore but when they get shot at and split up, he has it again.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Untitled 'From Within' Sequel (2010)

Soundtrack:

The Trick to Life

Soldiers of the Lord

In Grovetown, there is a series of suicides after the suicide of an outcast teenager Sean (Shiloh Fernandez). His brother Aidan (Thomas Dekker) waits for the return of his cousin Sadie (Margo Harshman) to the family house for the funeral. When Dylan (Kelly Blatz), who is the fanatic Christian son of the reverend, beats up on Aidan, the undesirable youngster is helped by Dylan's girlfriend Lindsey (Elizabeth Rice) that drives him home. They talk about Dylan's mother Candace Spindle that had a grimoire to worship her pagan gods in a creek and was blamed by the god-fearing locals of murdering a man; then she died in a suspicious fire. Lindsey and Aidan befriend each other and sooner she finds that Sean has cursed the town with his own sacrifice unleashing an evil force that is leading the inhabitants to commit suicide. When Lindsey is chased by her evil image, Aidan decides to help her to stop the curse; but the price to be paid is high.

Last week I bought "From Within" on DVD without any reference, and I had low expectations with this movie. Fortunately I was wrong and I was surprised with this great horror movie. In this original story, the Christians are evil with their fanaticism, self-proclaiming "soldiers of the Lord" and capable of dreadful murders in the name of God. Further, the conclusion with no redemption is unusual in American movies that prefer commercial endings instead. The sweet and gorgeous Elizabeth Rice has an amazing performance and shows a perfect chemistry with Thomas Dekker. The unknown director Phedon Papamichael shows a promising debut, supported by a good screenplay and a cast with great potential. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): Not Available