The Undying and Predestined for Sunday Afternoon Television: A Movie Review

*a screener of this film was provided by MTI Home Video.

Director: Steven Peros.

Writers: Steven Peros and David M. Flynn.

A necrophiliac doctor, a sexually inappropriate physician, a murdering ghost - how could this film go wrong? The Undying seems to have been put together for a television debut. Instead, this film finds itself being released on DVD through MTI Home Video December 13th. Understandably, this is director Steven Peros' first film, but the chills of the horror genre are left behind in favour of a more supernatural and romantic approach to filmmaking. The result is a pretty tepid thriller.

Robin Weigert ("Deadwood") plays Barbara a night doctor who has taken residence in a new locale. Recently, her fiance died by idiocy when he backed up into speeding traffic while taking a picture. Now, she laments his demise but she has something to keep her distracted. A Civil War ghost haunts her abode and he wants her to help him become physical once again. The death of a local vagrant at the hospital allows for Barbara to fondle her comatose patient while preparing to steal his body out of the ward. Her plan and the body's possession go off without a hitch until Barbara figures out that the body she took is that of a murderer! Cue the dramatic music and prepare for way too many love scenes.

Meanwhile, two stories are being played out: one is another romance gone awry from the Civil War and the other is taking place between Barbara and Elijah, her Civil War boy toy. Both of these stories unify in the violent climax, but by this time The Undying seems more fizzle than pizzazz.

Although this film did not find a television premiere as of yet, The Undying just has this Sunday afternoon television quality that makes it fairly forgettable. There is no swearing, much of the violence occurs offscreen and many of the actors are in fact from television. It seems as if this film has toned itself down to reach a wider audience.

This title just cannot find its genre. As a thriller this film only offers a little tension as Barbara tries to cover up her theft of the body. As a romantic film, this title works on some level. And as a horror film, well you better look elsewhere.

The Undying does have a market out there. Those who are little sensitive when it comes to thrillers might find this film suits their taste. Horror fans will find very little of value here and die-hard thriller fans might be better off with other titles. Granted this is Peros' first film, so The Undying seems like a cautious experiment. For this reviewer, the experiment did not create a chemical reaction. Others might enjoy a Civil War vet' coming to life to shag an unstable doctor. Who knows?

Overall: 6.5 out of 10 (this film sits on the fence a lot and it does not have a solid identity).

*special features on the release:

-film commentary
-photo gallery
-trailers

The Undying at MTI Home Video:

The Undying at MTI Home Video

 |  |  | 

Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA

Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2011,2011 release,civil war,ghost,ghost story,ghost story movie review,movie review,supernatural,supernatural movie review