A fair try with some some interesting moments

Rating: 5/10 (8 December 2013)

The film seems to constantly border on the line of Horror cliché and interesting ideas. It wouldn't be a horror film without the classic "don't go into the closet" or a family moving into a new house. The concept of feral children is an interesting one and the film does offer a promising starting point with the father of the young girls struggling with the murder of his wife and the idea that he may have to murder his children. The sudden contrast between this tender emotional scene and the man suddenly being carried away by a ghost is laughable. The reason for Jeffrey killing is wife is brushed off despite the fact it could have taken about 30 seconds to become a plausible motive (we assume she probably cheated on him).
Despite the clichés the film has some very interesting concepts. Annabel and Lucas don't appear to be the typical couple in horror films and Annabel's reluctance to have children adds a great element to affect the relationship between her, Lucas and the children. Another great idea brushed off (she doesn't put up much of a fight to allow Jean to take the children and only complains once they're in the new house).
The ending is fairly satisfying. The fact that Lily has to leave with Mama adds a great dramatic element to what could be a typical boring horror film ending (They give Mama her baby and all live happily ever after). Something about the spirit does slightly take away from the ending. "Mama" is not scary. At all. And terribly ineffective at murdering people. It seems a bit disappointing that she was the figure lurking in the dark the entire time.
The film tries so hard and triumphs at certain points but I don't think I would recommend the film to anyone. It's very miss-able.