Jessabelle

Plot synopsis:
The pregnant Jessabelle "Jessie" Laurent (Sarah Snook) is about to move to her fiancé, Mark's (Brian Hallisay) house when their car is hit by a truck, killing Mark and causing Jessie's miscarriage. Two months afterward, the wheelchair-bound Jessie moves in with her estranged father, Leon (David Andrews) in St. Francis, Louisiana. She resides in her mother's former bedroom; her mother having died due to brain tumor shortly after she was born.
One day, Jessie finds a box containing three videotapes shot by her mother. Kate (Joelle Carter), who addressed Jessie by her full name, congratulated her for her 18th birthday and gives a tarot reading about Death, which told about transition, taught to her by Moses, a man whom she met at a local church. Kate warned that an unwanted presence is haunting Jessie, a reading that turns out to be true, as Jessie feels that a black-haired woman (Amber Stevens) is haunting her ever since she moved in. Jessie also has a dream where she is strapped to a bed by her mother and sees a voodoo ritual being conducted, where a black man chokes her. Leon, who has repeatedly tried to dissuade Jessie from watching the tapes by breaking them and throwing Jessie's wheelchair, attempts to burn all of the tapes, but a force burns him alive inside the house's shed. During his funeral, Jessie reunites with her high school friend, Preston Sanders (Mark Webber), but collapses after she sees a severely burned black man (Vaughan Wilson).
After Preston leaves from tending to Jessie, Jessie discovers a fourth tape that she opts not to watch. The next day, Jessie and Preston head across a nearby bayou, which Jessie has suspected ever since she saw glittering light and flames appearing there. The two discover voodoo icons and effects, as well as a grave of "Jessabelle" with a baby's skeleton, dated on Jessie's birthday, whom they give to Sheriff Pruitt (Chris Ellis) for DNA testing. Jessie and Preston then visit the house of Mrs. Davis (Fran Bennett), the mother of one of their friends, who speaks about Moses. Thinking that Moses is involved, the two head to Moses' voodoo shrine, but is attacked by a group of men who force them to leave. The two return to Jessie's home where Preston confesses that, despite being married, he is still in love with Jessie. Just before he leaves, the mysterious woman attacks and knocks him unconscious.
Left alone, Jessie watches the fourth tape, showing Kate shouting "Jessabelle, you're dead!" before it cuts off. Conducting a ritual to summon the woman, Jessie is informed by Pruitt that the baby is Kate's daughter, but not Leon's. The tape plays out again and shows Kate committing suicide, tearfully saying that Moses is dead. Jessie is confronted by Kate's spirit and realizes the truth: Jessabelle was the biracial daughter of Kate and Moses who was killed, alongside her father, by Leon; Jessie is the unwanted presence, being a child adopted to cover up the crimes. Swearing revenge, Kate and Moses planned to transfer Jessabelle's spirit to Jessie. Jessie is pushed by Kate and Moses towards the bayou, where Jessabelle swims up and takes her bracelet, resurfacing back in the form of Jessie, who kisses Preston after he saves her. When Pruitt asks "Jessie" if she is all right, she replies "It's Jessabelle".

Tags: haunting

Review:
As a devout Horror fan with a declared preference towards ghost stories and hauntings, I had looked forward to seeing another usual film of the genre, mediocre yet frightening and fun to watch.While Jessabelle is light-years away from competing with the sub- genres best like The Grudge or Dead Silence, it completes the task it unofficially took upon itself, as it obviously had no intentions of being profound or in any way great.
Even though her character is stuck in a wheel-chair, the empathy towards its desperation and helplessness is greatly created by Snook's acting skills.As for the story, it suffers from one of the known banes of Horror - a mediocre plot twist leading to an anticlimactic ending, after a finely made build-up.
At least there is a plot twist, true, as Horror films are highly upgraded by these in my opinion, but the one in Jessabelle simply feels unfulfilled.
After recent horror releases like the dismal Oujia (a movie I personally despise), Jessabelle is a welcome change of pace.
Sometimes when watching a supernatural thriller/horror you have to ask yourself 'should I really be scared by what I'm seeing, considering it's completely unrealistic and impossible to ever happen in the real world?' Or the other question that sometimes enters the equation is 'should I really be scared by what I'm seeing or is it all just in the character's mind anyway?' 'Jessabelle' doesn't completely avoid these questions being asked, but it does a great job of disguising the fact that they're there lurking in the background.It's a tense, atmospheric ride from the opening scene right through to the closing credits.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana to recuperate from a horrific car accident (which left her unborn child and fiancé dead) Jessabelle(Sarah Snook)comes face to face with a long-tormented spirit that has been seeking her return—and has no intention of letting her escape.The action of "Jessabelle" takes place in backwoods bayou of Louisiana.The film was directed by Kevin Greutert of "Saw VI" and "Saw 3D" fame.The storyline is quite interesting and captivating and the voodoo imagery is quite spooky.Unfortunately long black haired female spirits in the vein of "Ringu" are too routine to be seriously scary.I must say that I quite enjoyed final twist,though.6 bayou ghosts out of 10..
Jessabelle is a movie that, unfortunately, relies too much on it's jump/scare moments & atmosphere to entertain rather than the plot or story.
Don't get me wrong...the plot of the movie isn't that bad and the story is filmed out decently enough.
It's just that it has a wee bit of a tendency to go a bit slow in places and at 90 minutes (which is average for a film these days) it could have been beefed out a bit better I think to make it not feel AS slow.Another aspect of the story is that, while it's not overly complicated or confusing, you do need to pay attention to what is happening because if you don't then the ending will make no sense whatsoever.
In saying that however, even when paying attention, one part of the story still didn't make sense, but I won't say anything for very obvious reasons.Some of the scare scenes in the movie were actually quite good (especially considering that this film is only a PG-13) even if they were the good old fashioned jump/scare's.
I know it's a given that atmosphere usually works well with creepy moments, but here it is nicely done throughout the movie.The cast do a pretty solid job too and the film is well acted.
I mean there are no stand out performances that are Oscar worthy (no offense to the cast), but they all do a fine job with the script that they are working with.Given all of that, it does go a bit slow in places like I say, and I think that's really the only thing stopping me from giving it a slightly higher rating than what I have.Overall, Jessabelle is a decent, well acted out supernatural horror with some nice creepy moments that is just a bit slow.
Returning to her childhood home to recuperate from a horrific car accident, Jessabelle after finding some VHS tapes made by her deceased mother comes face to face with a mysterious spirit seeking vengeance.
That didn't ruin Jessabelle by any means, but the ending was so familiar that I won't mention the name of the other movie that I'm thinking of because anyone who has seen it will instantly have a fairly accurate idea of how Jessabelle concludes.I recommend Jessabelle to anyone with an affinity for this type of horror - where atmosphere, mystery, and story take the lead over lots of action and mayhem..
Even if you can see things coming (no pun intended), especially if you read reviews who give away certain things or you just have seen enough horror movies to know some things, you'll still be entertained by this.And I did like where it went at the end (literally and metaphorically speaking).
The initial reaction here to finding the tapes left behind in secret and the way he flips out after finding her with them makes for a nice start here, and with the rather chilling house at play where this just simply screams to be filled with the residual effects of a haunting makes for a great time here with the beginnings of the supernatural torments against her.
These here are quite fun, with the pounding footsteps running throughout the house and seeming to sound like they're about ready to run into her only to have the revelation of being left along the entire time but being understandably uncomfortable with the situation, while the supernatural attack on the father to ensure the legacy is still around by preventing him from burning the evidence left behind makes for a truly chilling and cruel sequence that comes off nicely.
As well, the creepy revelations that come from this one are really enjoyable which make for quite a fun time here with the whole mystery over whether she's a twin or not and how her mother's deteriorating health made it possible to solve what's going on here as this one is far better than expected with the haunting storyline which is where this gets a lot right.
The movie attempts to produce some sort of sense of insecurity by going with this theme back and forth, but without any direction, or logic for that matter, the plot becomes more baffling.Jessabelle herself (Sarah Snook) acts contradictorily.
Jessabelle(Sarah Snook) after suffering an accident will live in a old house with her dad and she pass very problems with ugly and very angry ghosts, the end of the movie was the best, it was so surprising.
I recommend for all people who like the genre horror supernatural, the movie is a little different and for me there aren't clichés.
Written by Robert Ben Garant and directed by Kevin Greutert, Jessabelle (2014) keeps you guessing until the end, but an engaging mystery and attractive lead isn't enough to save this mediocre horror film from Blumhouse Productions.Tragedy strikes pregnant Jessabelle "Jessie" Laurent (Sarah Snook) when her fiancé Mark is killed in a car accident, which also causes her to miscarry and become paralyzed from the waist down.
I won't spoil the ending, but it's a crazy plot twist that might have been interesting if it was developed a bit more.Sarah Snook is an Australian actress mostly known for appearing nude in the infamous film Sleeping Beauty (2011).
I'll give her character credit for not taking whatever inheritance her dad left and getting on the first bus out of town after watching him inexplicably burn to death in a shed.There aren't many films set in the Louisiana bayou and even less featuring voodoo.
But Jessabelle's fast pace doesn't give the characters, or the audience, much time for reflection.The film grabs you and races toward its conclusion, not giving you time to stop and ask questions like: why wouldn't Jessie's dad get rid of his wife's clothes and personal belongings after 18 years?
Why does Jessie take a bath fully clothed?Okay, the PG-13 rating answers that question.Critics and audiences panned Jessabelle (25% and 31% on Rotten Tomatoes), but I didn't think it was nearly as bad as more recent horror films like The Hatred (2017) and Annabelle: Creation (2017).
It starts fast then slows down as the plot kicks in, this is a great thriller but the only way this comes under the genre of a horror is the way of the story,way its filmed and put together puts your brain on alert as there may be one or two jumpy bits but overall the scare factor is your brain falling into the story.
I had not known her work before the syfy time travel movie in that film she did a good job with a so so story ms.snook will be one of the new BIG names Many supernatural horror films that pop up here and there in the modern horror community usually consist of heavy, annoying loud noises and jump scares.
This movie is different."Jessabelle" is a great horror film, to be honest, I didn't know what to expect.
And honestly, it's probably one of the most well thought out stories in a horror film I've seen this year, next to "The Babadook" And "As Above, So Below" Finally, it's a good movie.
"The Dead are Back for Life" claims to be the tagline for Jessabelle, I think "God damn voodoo sh*t" might be more appropriate.Sarah Snook stars as the titular Jessabelle, a woman who is forced to return to her father's house in Louisana after being stricken to a wheelchair after a terrible and tragic car accident.
Jessabelle is in fact a combination haunting/voodoo film that is most reminiscent of The Skeleton Key.The film's horror is poorly paced, starting with a significant scare then regressing to nuanced mood changes and repeating the cycle a handful of times.
Jessabelle is quite a competent horror film, whose screenplay begins on a conventional way in order to later get more interesting and complicated with unexpected twists and ingenious tangents soaked of the "voodoo" folklore associated to the marshes of Louisiana, in which the story is set.
In conclusion, Jessabelle isn't a great film, but I liked it pretty much, and I think it deserves a recommendation.
My other few I watch over and over are:- Annabelle, Fury, Dracula Untold, The Purge-Anarchy, The Conjuring, Zombie Apocalypse, It's not that good but hey whatever 😁 13 Eerie and Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators, that movie is just hilarious very entertaining.I think Sarah Snook also looks like Leann Rimes.
This film tells the story of Jessabelle, or Jessie, a girl who went to live with an aunt as a child after her mother's death.
The end is based on a very nice and surprising twist plot, cutting the predictability that is felt throughout history.Sarah Snook did a good job in the lead role, and the supporting cast does a competent job as well.
A little slow here and there especially in the beginning but overall kept my attention fairly well and didn't rely too much on cheap scares but actually told a fairly good story with a twist ending that I actually enjoyed quite a bit cause it did make a bit of sense (many twists doesn't) So yeah nothing amazing but worth seeing for sure And I didn't know Mark Webber was in it until he actually showed up so that was a nice surprise cause I think he's one of the more underrated and underused actors in HollywoodSort of reminiscent of Skeleton Key, I think I prefer this movie though it's more down to earth and plot doesn't feel forced.
the main character plays like always very good, the story is good, why the movie is so bad reviewed, it is a mystery to me.therefore ....
I feel it is one of the better PG-13 Horror films I've seen (IF you like a good Ghost Story...) Blu-ray: Very Good V:9 A:9.
So, right up front some people who are used to and prefer more 'Modern' or intense Horror films will almost invariably NOT like this movie or will find it 'Slow' or 'Boring' as some have mentioned in their Review Summaries here.BUT...
The film is indeed VERY well made, expertly put together, and most entertaining, *** IF *** you are the kind of person who likes this kind of Horror movie.
And, I really got the impression that although they both have done MUCH bigger projects, they still really put their hearts and a lot of work into making this one.Usually, the performances in these low budget Horror films can be quite insulting and excruciatingly bad at times (please see my review of the recent 'HONEYMOON' - GEEZ, the acting in that one was truly AWFUl compared to this one) But here, I feel that all the actors and actresses in this one are quite good, and more importantly, BELIEVABLE, which is usually what I find sorely missing in most Horror films today.But, I should make a very important point for any who may be interested in checking this film out.
Needless to say, I am such an impressionable Wussy, that this one definitely drew me in and smacked me around a little...So, IF you are the kind of person who cannot EASILY suspend disbelief and get sucked into a good Ghost Story or Voodoo based film, then you may likely just find this one to be kind of 'Slow' and 'Boring' like some others here have said.
So, if you like this type of a slow-burn, atmospheric, moody Ghost Story with some Voodoo overtones, I think that there is a good chance that you might really enjoy it....
Overall, Jessabelle is still a FUN haunted house film to watch with friends at night but because it doesn't take itself seriously and that's why it's probably brings more unintentional laughs than the actual scares here.>>C<<.
Stumbled onto this by accident on cable and was delighted with the find.I like horror films, I have seen a lot, and it is no easy feat to catch my attention, but for the first 99% of this movie (more below), I was having a heck of a time...First, Sarah Snook.
That's acting.And Mark Webber as the "ex" who seems to be trying to help Snook out of compassion -- against the protests of his confused wife -- also nails his character dead on.Lots of spooky bits, more than a fair share of scenes that would make you regret watching it by yourself.In other words -- and I want to be clear on this -- going into the ninth inning we were way ahead on points and this film looked like a gem.And then you have the "twist reverse" ending, and a lot of the air suddenly seeps from the fun balloon.My job as a reviewer is to call 'em as I see 'em.
Keep in mind, though, these may be targeting two different groups of horror fans: "Jessabelle" is a much slower burn than the "Saw" films, and relies much less on the use of shock and gore.Sarah Snook is relatively new on the scene, her acting career really getting launched in 2009.
I love horror movies so when I watch a horror film I expect nothing but the best.
And thence to the crux of this watery goop of a film, the creepy family home is inhabited by some sort of spirit which wants Jessie to watch, get this, a whole library of VHS tapes each with only 2-3 mins of recording on it of her deceased mother reading out tarot cards predicting her daughters fate.
Producer Jason Blum of Paranormal Activity came up with another horror film about a woman who tries to face both her internal and external ghosts while trying to recuperate from an accident at her hometown in Louisiana in Jessabelle.It stars Sarah Snook in the title role.
This film written by Ben Garant and directed by Kevin Greutert provides us a horror film wherein a woman tries to come face to face with spirits that have been tormenting her and would want to have absolute control of her as well as a resolution about unresolved issues and traumatic experiences they have both have had with each other.While the film has an interesting premise and had great potential,too bad that it ended up far from interesting and compelling.Also,it just ended up with very limited horrific scenes that would scare the audience and it accidentally ended up gross that it became funny and hard to watch.Added to that,it also lacked tension required for a horror movie and the story became far from original and refreshing especially for horror movie fans.Despite the good portrayal of Sandra Snook and the presence of the gorgeous Mexican actress Ana de la Reguera,it ended up as a disappointment..
The film is quite good, and the story isn't too bad it seems to have more depth than other horror films and gives you something to think about.
It takes you a good five minutes to put the pieces together to actually work it out....The ending is also ridiculously abrupt, it goes from literally middle of story, end of story and end of film in what feels like a time frame of ten minutes.Overall it isn't a bad watch, would I watch it again?
Jessabelle is a movie that all horror fans should check out, I don't understand the bad reviews.
All in all, however, I would give this a thumbs up, definitely better than a lot of the horror movies produced these days, plus: it actually has 'jumping scare' moments.
The cinematography is quite good and the acting is effective.Final verdict: Jessabelle is nothing groundbreaking but one of the better horror flicks in recent years.