Friday, January 22, 2016

Lift The Veil and Stare into the Abyss: A Film Review

Director: Phil Joanou.

Writer: Robert Ben Garant.

Cast: Jessica Alba, Thomas Jane, Lily Rabe and Shannon Woodward.

The Veil is a haunted story, from Blumhouse Productions. The film takes place inside a Jim Jones' cult. But, in this film, there is life after suicide. Thomas Jane (The Punisher) plays Jim Jacobs, the cult leader. Jessica Alba (The Eye) plays a documentarian, in search of closure. A creepy cabin invites viewers into a horrifying time, while the film offers at least two decent jump scares. As well, Jane provides a great performance as the curtain falls on many of the characters. In the end, The Veil is a decent horror film, which draws viewers into its growing darkness.

The setting focuses on a small, dilapidated cabin. This type of setting has been used many times before, in horror. This time, in this remote locale, the characters try to piece together the final moments of a cult and its charismatic leader. This home holds at least one body and a huge collection of film reels. These reels provide the backstory of the cult and of one character's past - Sarah Hope (Lily Rabe). Shot mostly at night, this cabin is also the source of the film's handful of scares.

The film's story is also sourced from this isolated setting. In the '80s, a Charles Manson-like cult leader experimented with death and rebirth. Jim Jacobs uses a lethal drug cocktail, while promising to use Christ's three nails, to return. After awhile, Jim is bringing himself and others back from the afterlife. He sets his sights on resurrecting still others; but, his plan is squashed by governmental authorities. Fast-forward twenty-five years, Sarah, the sole survivor of the mass suicide, returns to this location for answers. Any answers must be found beyond the grave, though.

The film's terror is partially developed with the use of jump scares. There are two decent jump scares, both involving Sarah. In one scene, the tone is sad as this central character talks with her dead mother's corpse. If that was not enough, the corpse leaps into life, only to startle one viewer. Another jump scare takes place later in the film. This time, Sarah is investigating her past, through a flashback. Two more corpses emerge from under a sheet, making this heart skip a beat or two. These two jump scares offer some terror. But, the jump scares are under-utilized overall.

Thomas Jane channels a couple of real life killers for his character, Jacobs: Jim Jones and Charles Manson. Jane also delivers a quality performance as the cult leader. Readers or viewers of Jim Jones and his cult, the Peoples Temple, will see this character revisited by Jane. Jane uses Jones' glasses here and his predilection for giving out sugary poisons. Jane also proselytizes scripture to his followers as did Jones. And, Jim Jones lives again, in The Veil! Viewers will also see some of Charles Manson here. Jane brings many of Manson's dialogue and strange speech to the screen. Manson was a very disturbed, but charismatic man, so is Jim Jacob. One real life character is fictionalized and brought to life one more time, to kill again, after offering many saccharine, slightly off-kilter speeches. Jane has based his performance mainly on these two killers and the result is a believable and self-destructive cult leader.

The Veil is a solid horror feature. It offers a creepy atmosphere, an over-the-top villain and a few scares. This culmination of film elements brings a decent story to fruition. Not holding back from gore and deadly situations, director Phil Joanou borrows some material from the past, while incorporating a supernatural storyline. This blend of reality with other-worldy elements creates for a enjoyable time. Viewers of the film can join this crazed cult temporarily, while many of the characters can never leave.

Overall: 7 out of 10.

A trailer for the film is available here:

The Veil Trailer on 28DLA

Recommended release: Watch The Sacrament at Amazon


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