From Within: A Movie Review

Director: Phedon Papamichael.

Writer: Brad Keene.

Genre horror film "From Within," touches on themes of revenge and religious extremism while breathing new life into the typical teen angst flick. Making the best of a low budget "From Within," now on DVD turns a difficult topic, religion into a restricted gore piece that will have one thinking about the benefits of following a spiritual group, or in the films case more like a Christian cult. Prolific director Phedon Papamichael (3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line), does his best with the material, but the story, from writer Brad Keene, with constant religious overtones leaves a sour taste in one's mouth.

Beginning with Sean (Shiloh Fernandez) reciting an ancient curse and then quickly offing himself, "From Within," sets the mysterious tone early as this supernatural curse passes from person to person in the small, rural backdrop of Grovestown. Next, Sean's girlfriend Natalie (Rumer Willis) brings the curse centrally back to the town square and the bodies begin to drop like dominoes. As the story unravels, mostly through Aidan's (Thomas Dekker) eyes, brother to Sean, the death of both mens' mother, is central to the story. The film takes on an "us," versus "them," approach when the murderers of Mrs. Spindle turns out to be the local townsfolk. The "us," is the Spindle clan, who with only surviving members Aidan and cousin Sadie (Margo Harshman) looking for revenge upon the town who is "them," and happy to do battle. The townspeople become split down the middle with central religious instigator Dylan (Kelly Blatz) leading the mostly devout and the remainder, including Lyndsay (Elizabeth Rice), a potential love interest to Aidan questioning this newest battle of good against evil and where she belongs in the story.

Often pictures that delve into the subtext of the bible come off, unsurprisingly as preachy, but this is not totally the case for "From Within." The film borrows the myth of an ancient contagious curse from Asian culture and the premise while unique, is not given equal excellent delivery in the film. The theme of good versus evil is challenging to deliver lightly and the films central message seems to change during a viewing from cynical to maniacal then back and forth. The only social message that does come across clearly is that of religious extremism, which whether at home or abroad can only lead to more and more violence, or in this case more and more gore.

The ability of the curse to create a shape or doppelganger to spook, then scare, and finally murder their prey is done with shadows and not frequently enough, from the shape's perspective. The differing directing style of allowing the shape to inhabit mirrors, then television sets, while grey eyes stare blankly, unknowingly at their unfortunate victim, comes off, shockingly well. Tricking the characters in the movie to drink bleach and thus indirectly kill one character, the shape switches methods and more directly kills one semi-nude, teenage, female by sawing off her arms with the remnants of a glass window. Mostly as an attempt to build tension the horrifying scenes are given originality through various visual and aural deliveries that match the characters fears. Effective in creating the intended shock "From Within," offers enough scares for gorehounds, but can graphic brutality, alone sell the film?

Unfortunately, the answer is no and if not for the inspiring acting from Thomas Dekker and Adam Goldberg, with additional help from an interesting dark magic storyline, "From Within," would stumble into the background of underground horror storytelling. Dekker from the television series "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," delivers the mystery, and pain necessary for his character and only one initial interaction, in a car between Dekker and Lyndsay, appears melodramatic. Goldberg, who is often comedic in film delivers a dual characterization in "From Within," as his character becomes overly dramatic thens shifts to slyly comedic during many of his scenes. Goldberg's performance as Roy, a redneck and devout church goer is effective and almost surreal to watch. Surprisingly, good and initially indistinguishable Adam breaks any previous type casting by performing angrily and then crazily by burning annoying character Sadie in a gasoline crucifix. Hard to top, many of the other actors in the film fade into the story as other well-acting characters stand forefront in the film.

Staying with the dark magic plotline throughout "From Within," writer Brad Keene seems to be self-consciously laughing at religion in the context of the film while leaving the ending open for viewer's to make their own interpretation. Attempting a one, two knock out horror punch the initial building story shifts in the final scene to a twist ending, that while visually graphic and stunning only leaves a questioning feeling, that will likely not be given relief from a sequel.

Director Papamichael and writer Keene give a nod to the religious right, in the American mid-west as they offer their own take on religion, which is a subject best left to practitioners, or philosophers. Despite the heavy subject matter and serious tones during the showing of "From Within," this film manages to do its job and create an eighty-nine minute horrifying thriller. And while thought provoking and sometimes shocking "From Within," with its small budget, will likely be found on the bottom of video store shelves, partially stocked, with empty eye sockets on the covering pleading with you to take this film home.

5.5 Eyeless Skulls out of 10.

Sources:

From Within Movie Stills at Allmoviephoto

From Within at IMDB

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Posted in: 2008,brad keene,horror,kelly bratz,margo harshman,movie,movie review,phedon papamichael,rumer willis,shiloh fernandez,synopsis,thomas dekker