Don't you just love discovering a horror movie that is unique and thought provoking as well as terrifying?
Such is the case with Andrew Cull's The Possession of David O'Reilly.
A young British couple, Kate and Alex (Zoe Richards and Nicholas Shaw) take in their recently-dumped-by-his-girlfriend pal, David (Giles Alderson). David is a mess, and Kate and Alex agree to have him spend the night so that he can lick his wounds and figure things out. However, it seems that David is carrying some kind of psychic (or possibly psychological) damage with him, and it's about to be set loose in the charming little flat of his best friends.
Almost immediately, David starts hearing noises, and seeing odd figures racing about his friend's back yard. It seems that this is nothing new, and that our brokenhearted boy has been hellishly tormented by something for several weeks now, and whatever it might be, has followed him.
When the first beast/zombie/demon shows up at the back door, and David pours a line of salt at the entryway to prevent it from entering the apartment, one is aware that the hero of this story has a history. Furthermore, when a pregnant neighbor shows up at the front door, forgetting why she even rang the bell, you know that something truly odd is in the works.
Bringing to mind such films as Paranormal Activity, The Blair Witch Project and Through a Glass Darkly, ... David O'Reilly manages to bring something new to the table in spite of the films it seems to be paying homage to (though apparently, this script was written the year before Paranormal Activity). Honestly, I was surprised, and scared witless several times while watching, and I think most viewers unless they are jaded beyond any hope, will have the same reactions.
6 comments:
Never heard of it. Sounds great!
I still don't understand the love for "Paranormal Activity." It was one of the most boring and least frightening movies I've ever seen. Silly and predictable, with nothing going for it but a couple of decent performances. The characters were awful (I wanted to smack Micah every other minute, because he was such a dick) and the plot was lifted from about a dozen better films. People all around me and my friends screamed and carried on, while we sat there asking ourselves, "Seriously?"
I hope "O'Reilly" is better.
Prospero, I liked PA, that said, this movie is much different, but it does have a similar vibe. Honestly, I found ...David O'Reily to be very, very chilling.
I watched this last night based on your review. Great recommendation! The film's much better than Paranormal Activity. It actually delivers the goods. Thanks!
This sounds like something I'd love. Thanks for the recommendation.
Very good film.
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