Seconds Apart and Feeling Fear: A Movie Review

*here be some spoilers.

Director: Antonio Negret.

Writer: George Richards.

After Dark Films went into production on several horror films, which have mostly released in late 2010 and early 2011. Seconds Apart is one of the latest After Dark Originals to be released and this horror film moved to DVD May 24th. This is one of director Antonio Negret's first features and from early in the film, one knows this film is going to be a tragedy. If the mention of Aristotle's Poetics does not tip you off, then the screaming victims will. There is so much to cover in this excellent film, but focusing on the twins, their abilities and their desire to feel fear seems an appropriate start.

The film begins with Seth (Gary Entin) and Jonah (Edumund Entin) attending a party, which later leads to a brutal game of Russian Roullette. Few survive this dangerous game and later, one of the brothers states: "I think I felt it...it's in the eyes" (Seconds). That "it" will be discussed later. Meanwhile, a series of suicides take place on and off campus, at a prestigious Catholic school. Telepathy and telekinesis are to blame, with a Frankenstein-like doctor enhancing the twin's psychic abilities.

Horror fans will likely notice the biblical references in the two protagonists names. Seth is traditionally a reference to the third son of Adam and Eve, while Jonah had some strange adventures with a whale. That diversion aside, these two brothers continue a brutal killing spree, while talking of "the project" (Seconds). This project involves hundreds of videotapes and the goal of the endeavour is to, simply, feel fear. Having control over others, takes the fear out of rejection, and the hurt out of everyday social interactions. Without this feeling, the brothers appear and act as if in a daze of depression. Their project is a failure, until an inquisitive detective (Orlando Jones) steps in.

Most of the film elicites feelings of sympathy for the victims or sheer terror from the gruesome scenes on screen. Some of the scenes are too hard to watch e.g. a glass eating babysitter, a suicide by shard of glass etc. Fear and pity are necessary elements of tragedy and therefore the modern equivalent, horror. This rising tragedy and terror cumulates into a final climactic battle, with a surprise reveal that should shock some viewers. This reviewer was blown away. Also occurring in the final scenes, one brother finally does feel fear: "I think that I feel it," as his home burns down around him. Tragedy looms for both brothers and only here, with the threat of death, do the twins feel fear. Their project is a tragic success.

There is so much to discuss in this fine film, that horror fans are encouraged to impart their wisdom on this feature. Seconds Apart is a definite recommend for the use of tragedy and for the brutal scenes, which will make some turn away. Hard to watch, but exciting the whole way through, Seconds Apart is a surprisingly entertaining time.

Overall: 8.75 out of 10 (so many elements go right in this production: acting, story, set-up and reveal etc.).

Purchase the film on DVD or watch Seconds Apart instantly on video-on-demand:



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Posted in: after dark films,after dark originals,antonio negret,movie review,seconds apart,tragedy