MALEVOLENCE / BEREAVEMENT

MALEVOLENCE

German Title:
Malevolence - Niemand kommt hier lebend raus

USA, 2004
Director: Steven Mena

7/10

"Malevolence" totally took me by surprise: I expected this to be some kinda torture-porn gorefest but it actually is a pretty suspenseful and thrilling homage to classic oldschool slashers.

The acting is so-so and the first half is often a bit too slow - but apart from that, I had a great time watching it. It has a well-written script and a quite nice "Satan's Blade"-like plot. Camera work and photography are absolutely excellent with many highly atmospheric shots of all the beautiful-looking abandoned houses.

The soundtrack is incredibly creepy but also quite fun, mainly because of many "Halloween" and "Psycho" references. It's packed with loads of breathtakingly tense edge-of-seat-scenes and scary shots, the kills are all very neat and the masked killer (an obvious tribute to the eerie guy from "The Town That Dreaded Sundown") looks just stunning, especially because many of his movements remind me of the great Michael Myers.

 
A fabulous little indie-horror-flick, sadly way too underrated.

(Review from 01/2011)

Wiki ~ Imdb

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BEREAVEMENT
(Prequel)

Alternate Title:
Slaughter House

German Title:
Bereavement - In den Händen des Bösen

USA, 2010/2011
Director: Steven Mena

9/10

Ladies & Gentlemen, I proudly present the very first amazing horror highlight in 2012: "Bereavement", the epic prequel to Steven Mena's debut flick from 2004.

"Bereavement" is a major improvement over "Malevolence": it's darker, grittier and way more compelling. The story of how the completely insane Graham Sutter (an incredible Brett Rickaby) turns the insensitive boy Martin Bristol (amazing newcomer Spencer List) into a cold-blooded killer is told in a fascinating and intriguing way, thanks to Steven Mena's striking script and tight direction.

The powerful cinematography is mesmerizing and all the creepy images of bleak landscapes and abandones buildings are unsettling an overwhelming at the same time. The cast is great, the characters are all highly believable (especially the gorgeous Alexandra Daddario), the soundtrack is astonishingly intense and often gave me goosebumps, and it's packed with extremely suspenseful moments (the girl from the diner), nail-biting scenes (Allison in the basement) and some shocking, brutal and unpredictable violence (knife through hand, girl in the oven).

A highly impressive and visually stuning little masterpiece.
I can't hardly wait for Part 3!

Wiki ~ Imdb