Highly Enjoyable!!!!

Rating: 7/10 (25 November 2012)

This film is actually a really nice, low budget horror film. More of a thriller / ghost story / boogeyman type movie with lots of "jump out at you" scares, without all the guts and gore than you have come to expect from an "R" rated horror film!!!!! Ethan Hawke is brilliant as Ellison Oswalt, a struggling "true-crimes" writer who is desperately seeking his next great novel. Ellison's claim to fame was his debut best-selling novel, Kentucky Blood; however, his books that followed over the next ten years have failed to generate the same buzz as his initial release.
Ellison (Hawke) has decided to investigate the hanging mass murder and child abduction of a middle class family in a small mid-western town. He has relocated his wife and kids to this small town as well, as he further investigates the crime scene and delves into the details of the horrific homicide. Ellison has a history of selecting living accommodations close to the crime scene; however, for this particular case he has opted to live in the crime scene household but neglects to inform his wife or family.
Ethan Hawke does a terrific job portraying the down-on-his-luck author willing to do whatever it takes to regain the popularity, fame, and notoriety of his former self. When he stumbles across a box of 8mm home films that connects another four (4) family murders with child abductions dating back 50 years, instead of turning over this additional information over to the local authorities to further investigate; he decides to use this information to his advantage to write his upcoming book. It's this decision, which ultimately puts the gears in motion and subsequently leads Ellison's demise.
Made on a shoestring budget for only $3 Million dollars; however, this film does not possess that low budget feel. Written, directed, and executive produced by Scott Derrickson, Derrickson developed a top-notched script with interesting subtext, while maintaining a high level of intensity, intrigue, and just a hint a terror to keep the audience interested, on edge, and jumpy. I definitely recommend this film, there is nothing over-the-top graphic or gory here. This is just one of those old fashion, whodunit / who's-gonna-get-it next horror films, and is done exceptionally well!!! See more of my reviews on FB @ "The Faris Reel"