Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made and Surviving a Demonic Horror Title: A Film Review

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by producer Eric Thirteen.

Directors: David Amito, Michael Laicini.

Writers: David Amito.

Cast: Rowan Smyth, Nicole Tompkins.

Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made or the simpler Antrum is a title from directors David Amito (Stress Postion) and Michael Laicini. Amito has starred in a number of projects, while Laicini has four scripts under his belt. Together, these two filmmakers have created a supposed cursed film. However, Antrum is more of a faux documentary. A few interviews are given in the style of Savageland (2015). But, this film fan was also reminded of the found footage title The Blair Witch Project (1999), in that the material for the film is found after-the-fact. The film's gimmick and hook is that, by watching this title, it will kill you. This viewer is still alive, but Antrum comes across more as a film school project, than anything from below (Hell!). This release is hard to recommend to spoilt horror fans, who have access to hundred of titles every year.

The story begins with a dog's bite. Maxine, the dog, is quickly put down, after this violent incident involving young man Nathan (Rowan Smyth). Now, Nathan is having nightmares and his sister, Oralee (Nicole Tompkins), offers to descend into hell - to find Maxine. This was probably a bad idea from the get-go as there are a couple of strange hillbillies nearby; countryfolk get such a bad rap in horror films. Once Nathan and Oralee are out in the woods, they begin to dig there way to Hell. However, there are enough demons in human form, nearby - to keep them busy.

Hell is all around, not just below.

Antrum reminded this viewer of the faux documentary style of storytelling. There have been a few of these types of films released over the last few years. Going way back to 1999, The Blair Witch Project offered a similar style of writing, in that all of the material for the film has supposedly been found after-the-fact. Then, the film is given a history, to enlarge it somehow. Also, this reviewer was reminded of Phil Guidry's Savageland. This 2015 film also dealt with recovered photos and videos, to tell a story. As well, experts were interviewed to piece together a mystery, involving a small town and its missing inhabitants. Yet, Savageland got a lot more right, compared to Antrum. This earlier film used more reconstructions to piece events, while Antrum relies on just two actors. The results for Antrum are a bit understated.

The gimmick of a cursed film has also been tried before. Other reviews have mentioned the short film "Cigarette Burns" (Culture Crypt), which the film references. This viewer was also reminded of Ringu, with the film threatening to enter into the viewer's reality; this earlier title is also mentioned in Antrum, by one of the interviewees. But, there was no turning back once the play button was pushed. And, while the chances of a heart attack go up on a daily basis, this film never really tried any surprises or overly shocking imagery to scare the wits out of this critic. Though, the filmmakers do use some subtle imagery of the Devil, or of pentagram to try and heighten the tension. Still, this film will likely not scare you to death.

Antrum is very much a small film and it can come across more as a film project. Because the cast and crew are so limited, the script is really minimized and so is the action. Though, Amito and Laicini do keep events moving forward into stranger and stranger territory. Also, there are no real subplots here. The character Oralee is never really developed and Nathan's acting is reduced to a few expressions. The climax comes on a bit quick. And, everything moves to its inevitable conclusion with a bit of monotony. Antrum is a good effort, but with only a small payoff.

Antrum is currently out on Digital platforms and the film is hard to recommend. Because there are so many horror and thrillers introduced into the marker, every year, it is difficult for a film, like Antrum, to stand out in the tidal wave of releases. A film with an interesting premise and a minimal story, Antrum struggles to come across bigger than the material that has come before it. Amito and Laicini are early in their careers and this release is surely a stepping stone to greater things as both filmmakers find their directing and writing legs.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10.

The latest trailer and poster for the film, on 28DLA: An Antrum Trailer on 28DLA

An in-depth review of the film at Culture Crypt: Antrum Reviewed at Culture Crypt


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