Beneath (2007)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Safe MTV produced chiller that finds Nora Zehetner haunted by images linked to the horrific death of her elder sister when she was a little girl. The frustrating thing is that the picture is book ended by great horror sequences, in fact the finale is one of the best that horror offered up in 2007 if judged on rug pull and macabre terms, if only the whole middle section didn't meander along without thoughtful scares or adherence to screw tightening genre requirements.The set up is pretty good, it's a classic spooky house scenario with secret passages and rooms you wouldn't want to be alone in. The inhabitants of the house feature a suspicious but angelic little girl, and a Mrs. Danvers scary woman type. Director Dagen Merrill does his best to bring the frights, but he's heavy handed in execution, while the cheapness of the production unfortunately stands out a mile. That said, there's enough here to warrant interest if stuck for a spooky thriller to watch on a cold night in by the fire. Certainly the finale is worth time spent with the weak middle section. 6/10

This review contains spoiler, please do not read it before watching the movie.Beneath is about a girl, Christy whose sister died after being burnt very badly in a car crash (the driver was Christy herself). During her funeral Christy has a strange vision with a kind of a seizure so she is removed from the town to a mental hospital where she is treated for several years. During these years she keeps having nightmares and she makes drawings on the things she sees. She returns to her hometown when her caretaker dies and she is also reunited with the rest of the family: her late sister's husband and daughter and the husband's (really scary) mother. As she relives the loss of her sister she starts to have visions again and strange and scary things start to happen. As a result she assumes that her sister was buried alive.The movie has a really disturbing atmosphere and continuous tension in spite of the fact that it becomes quite evident very early what really happened to her sister. Despite knowing the end very very soon, I still found this movie truly entertaining as the different happenings were composed very nicely and the tension was also built up and kept steady all over the movie. The title Beneath reflects to a considerable maze under the house where all the mystery happens (I'm still wondering if people really have things like that under their houses. Creepy). If we don't count its predictability, the storyline is really good and the ratio of fake and actual supernatural stuff is fine too. The end is even dramatic, mainly if you can imagine your life all ruined, hidden in a dark place, etc.In conclusion, Beneath is totally fine for watching it once, it's really a pity that it's so easy the predict how it will end. Otherwise, recommended.

Not bad. Not bad at all. I must admit, an original little film, with original little story. Not a big film, but very good job at this budget. You just have to watch this film. It is pretty scary on some moments, It has a fine atmosphere, claustrophobic looks, and some strange dark colors... There's nothing special to talk about this film, it's just OK! Nora Zehetner was good in this film, and other actors did a great job. Camera is good, script is OK, make up - excellent! Ending - wow!The very beginning of the film is very interesting, it shows you the story. You feel the guilt and the hate towards the leading character, the sadness and strangeness also. But, Christy (Nora Zehetner) has gone too deep in the dark secret. And now, she must discover - what is really happening here. I recommend this! Watch it!

As a teenager Christy Wescot and her sister Vanessa are in a car accident. Vanessa becomes horribly burned before she eventually dies. Christy has a mental breakdown and leaves town. Six years later she returns when their old caretaker passes away. Memories and visions haunt her. Could Vanessa be trying to say something from beyond the grave? We've seen the story before. A person who has suffered some childhood trauma returns home only to be confronted with demons past. Beneath never manages to do something new and creative with this concept, but in its unoriginality it still remains pretty watchable. One of the reasons for this is the mercifully short running time and general pace. There isn't anything excessive in the movie. We are told what's necessary and little else. Some movies need time to unfold, while others like Beneath, benefit on being concise and to the point. None of the actors really make a mark, but Nora Zehetner as Christy is likable enough. It was a pleasant surprise to see Don S. Davis (Twin Peaks, Stargate SG-1) in a minor role as the caretaker Joseph too. The technical aspects of the movie are generally decent, with a couple of great shots, like the tracking shot as Christy first comes home. There was one musical cue that was supposed to scare, but instead came off as forced ruining an otherwise decent scene. Speaking of scares there is very little suspense in the movie. The returning visions may yank those dosing on the couch back to reality, however it soon becomes tiresome. Only towards the end does Beneath manage to create some tension, but it's too little too late. The ending was an interesting mess making me wonder if they were unsure how to round it all off.Ultimately Beneath isn't likely to scare horror fans, though a younger crowd may find it satisfying. The film is well made for being a straight-to-DVD release and everyone involved seem to have contributed the best they could. It looks alright and it kept my attention throughout. I only wish they had made a stronger effort in writing the script.