The Messengers Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

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Family from the big city with a troubled teen daughter decide to make a clean break putting all their troubles behind them starting a new life on a farm. The farm is run down, the house very 'amitiville' style dark and has a history...... yep does sound familiar doesn't it !!! Wasn't the worst 90 minutes ever, it is tense-ish at times, but is definately not 'horror' and, unless you have been hiding in the cellar yourself for the past 30 yaers, you will certainly have the 'I've seen all this before' feeling right from the start. Not entirely shabby, but unless you are a teen looking for any excuse you can to get your partner to cuddle up closer, don't go out of your way to watch this one.

Not the best but watchable enough.

This is not a masterpiece I will say this first. Nor are the scares terribly frightening. Some, depending on your disposition, will make you jump but nothing stays with you once you are in bed in the dark.

This is the first film by the Pang brothers - Asian filmakers - which means if you are familiar with the genre there are a few familiar sights.

The camerawork is interesting, they are a fan of the quirky angle.

The story centres around 4 people miving to a small town and a remote house which came at an *unbelievable* price. When will people learn this?

There is friction between the parents and their 17yr old daughter, although it takes time to find out why. There is also a little boy - around 4 years old who does not talk. Because of his lack of sign knowledge or really any other means of comm. this does not seem as a birth defect but makes you wonder as to the whys and wherefores.

Things happen in the house and only the little boy and teenage girl can see anything. The boy seems entranced by what he sees which makes little sense to me esp in one particular scene envolving him, the girl and basement door. I shall say no more. Needless to say though it does not seem plausible that his reaction would be what we see.

I say give the film a chance. It is cliche ridden but watchable nonetheless.