3AMFRIGHT.COM: The Messengers; Shall Not Be Ignored

The Messengers; Shall Not Be Ignored

      "You saw it too....didn't you?"

     All Denise and Roy want to do is get their life back on track. With their daughter struggling to make up from a past mistake and the economy bringing them to their knees, they choose to move from city life in Chicago to the farmlands of North Dakota. But when unforeseen struggles start tearing this already fragile family apart, it is up to their daughter Jessie to try and set things straight and save her family before the farm they now possess brings its haunting past down upon them. Even the crows know you can't bury your secrets in unmarked graves.

     The Messengers is a wonderful blend of classic American ghost story telling and innovative Japanese special effects; something the Pang (Danny & Oxide) undoubtedly brought with them in their directing of this film. You know from the start that there is something seriously fucking wrong with the house Roy (Dylan McDermott), Denise (Penelope Ann Miller), Jessica (Kristen Stewart) and Ben (twins Evan and Theodore Turner) move into. Now for some that may be disappointing, but it is typical in ghostly fashion and it is the mystery of why that drives the movie. John Corbett's appearance as Burwell creates a pivotal point in this movie and you can never be sure who or what he is until it's too late. The acting by all is natural and easily executed, so much so you get the feeling that if Kristen Stewart was given more profound roles than a film that shall not be named, she could grow into a gifted actress that isn't always broody and pale.
     With the Pang brothers directing, you get a rare beautiful execution of daylight in all of the horrific experience inside & outside of the house. There isn't a moment, even at night, where there isn't light in the sequence of scenes in this film and I love that. It proves that a great story and brilliant special effects can take the elements of horror we are so use to seeing in the dark and bring them out in the daylight and make them just as terrifying if not more so than they were before. I haven't seen the sequel to this film but if it is anything like this, it may be worth a look.

     All in all The Messengers is a great little underrated film I've yet to get bored of watching over and over again. If you have not seen The Messengers and you are looking for a classically mixed ghost story then do so, you wont be disappointed. In fact, if you are a fan of any of the leading actors and actresses named, I highly recommend checking this film out as it gave them all new refreshing roles to expand their acting chops.

So until next time,

Sit back, relax

and don't forget to scream!