Experimental, Rough in Places But Great Film

Rating: 9/10 (22 April 2006)

OK it's truly scary. And there are spots where the dialogue and acting will leave you wondering if the screenwriter's mind was too much on the ambiance of the film instead of the story. This did little to detract from the film's more frightening aspects, and the feeling of mystery that pervaded even the most horrific scenery. If you've read Dante's Inferno or have seen Constantine, you will be well impressed by the vision of hell (or just a hellish environment?) that the makers have created. In many ways, this movie could be the progeny of films like The Ring, The Grudge, or mysteries with "teeth"--that is, a true or true-seeming story behind the horror. I was impressed. However, unlike Ebert, I found the plot easily understandable and worth the $7 it took to see this. Artfully experimental in many ways, but, if you're not younger than 14 and don't mind graphically-intense films, you should see go see and enjoy this film. I did not play any of the games related to the movie.