I bought this on DVD (the short version - grrr!) knowing that Christina Ricci was in it and nothing else. What I found was an adequate, 6/10 movie (Ricci makes it a 7, but that's just me) with little by way of originality or genuine horror, but that does not make it inferior to many blockbusters. The English setting gives it a quaint feel, as it looks genuinely normal, and not some movie version of a creepy town. The cast are better than you'd expect, and some of the direction manages to evoke sinister feelings without use of hokey effects. However, unless you are easy to please, an aficionado of low-budget horror flicks, or a fan of Christina Ricci or Ioan Gruffud (or Mackenzie Crook in a non-speaking role) then there is probably no real reason to watch this.
62 Reviews
Good, Original and Mysterious Horror Movie
claudio_carvalho25 April 2005
While going to the town of Ashby Wake, the drifter Cassie (Christina Ricci) is hit by a car driven by Marion Kirkman (Kerry Fox) and loses her memory. Marion invites Cassie to stay in her huge old house with her family, while recovering from the trauma. Cassie becomes very close to Michael, the young son of Marion's husband Simon Kirkman (Stephen Dallane). He is researching a recently discovered buried church from the First Century, with images of the crucifixion of Jesus and many anonymous persons watching it. Cassie starts having visions and premonitions with some locals, and decides to investigate the weird and nasty mechanic Frederick Michael Argyle (Peter McNamara). Her findings about who she is and the mystery relative to the locals and the town surprises her. "The Gathering" is a good, original and mysterious horror movie, in the same line of "The Others", "Haunted", "The Sixth Sense"and "El Espinazo del Diablo". It is not gore, but very creepy and scary. Christina Ricci is magnificent, as usual, and the idea is fresh and unusual. The conclusion of the story is commercial, but it is not bad. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Encontro" ("The Gathering")
Title (Brazil): "O Encontro" ("The Gathering")
Voyeurism through the ages...
Coventry14 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The story-idea of "The Gathering" is one of the most original and unsettling horror premises in a very long time. This is a religious and supernatural thriller that focuses on mystery and ominous atmosphere, instead of grossing you out with nasty killings and/or horrible monsters. Although heavily flawed and quite illogical at times, "The Gathering" managed to surprise (and even shock) me with its intelligent screenplay about a small English town that stumbles upon an old and entirely buried (!) church. Together with this discovery, The young Cassie (Christina Ricci) arrives in town, but a seemly fatal car-accident erases her memory. While her host Simon Kirkman is attempting to unravel the mystery of the buried church and its unidentified statues that witness Christ's crucification from the reverse side, Cassie starts to have visions about a soon-to-happen drama in the quiet little town. She also finds out that the stone-statues in the church look exactly like faces she keeps on seeing in her visions, although they appear to be simple bystanders... It's hard to summarize this movie without giving away the essence of the story, which is a terrific and stunning finding. It's a pretty damn shame that this movie never really received the attention it deserved, as the quality-level comes close to that of exaggeratedly praised titles such as "The Others" or "The Sixth Sense". Christina Ricci is very convincing as the confused heroine. Beautiful Ricci is perfectly able to carry the entire film, although some of the supportive roles are also definitely worth mentioning, like Ioan Gruffudd (much better here as in blockbuster garbage like "King Arthur" or "Fantastic Four") and Kerry Fox ("Wisdom of Crocodiles"). "The Gathering" is a must see in case you're fed up with overly gore teen-slashers or uninspired remakes of horror classics. The leading lady is terrific, the filming locations are mesmerizing and the story is actually something new!! See it!
Who's Watching The Watchers?...
azathothpwiggins10 September 2020
THE GATHERING stars Christina Ricci as Cassie Grant, who is backpacking through rural England when she's hit by a car. This results in her staying with the family of the woman who struck her. Strange things begin happening, seemingly related to an ancient -and quite mysterious- first century, Christian church that has been unearthed nearby.
Upon recovering from her injuries, Cassie ventures out into the local town. Why are people now watching and following her? The longer she stays, the more bizarre and chilling it all becomes.
This is a solid supernatural horror-thriller, with some creepy twists. The unexpected ending ties it all up nicely. Ms. Ricci is really good in this, proving once again that she could very well be the Barbara Steele of her generation...
Upon recovering from her injuries, Cassie ventures out into the local town. Why are people now watching and following her? The longer she stays, the more bizarre and chilling it all becomes.
This is a solid supernatural horror-thriller, with some creepy twists. The unexpected ending ties it all up nicely. Ms. Ricci is really good in this, proving once again that she could very well be the Barbara Steele of her generation...
Sin, Evil and Redemption
JamesHitchcock10 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Cassie Grant, an American girl visiting England, loses her memory after she is hit by a car. The driver of the car, Marion Kirkman, invites Cassie to stay at her house in the small cathedral city of Ashby Wake. While recovering, Cassie makes the acquaintance of the Kirkman family including Marion's husband, Simon, an art historian who has been called in to examine some strange carvings in a newly-discovered underground Christian church dating back to Roman times. Cassie is troubled by recurring and disturbing visions which seem to be linked to this church, to a scandal from the past involving allegations of child abuse at a local orphanage (which turns out to be the house in which the Kirkmans now live) and to a group of people who regularly appear and seem to be watching her.
The point of making Cassie an American was presumably because the presence of a big- name Hollywood star would help crack the US market, but Christina Ricci fits in well and, unlike some Hollywood stars called on to provide the token big name in a low-budget British film, does not play to the gallery or stand out by reason of an obvious "Look at me! I'm a star!" attitude.
"The Gathering" is a thriller with a supernatural element, here provided by the legend of The Gathering. (This appears to be an invention of the scriptwriter, but has similarities to the legend of the Wandering Jew). According to this legend, a group of people who attended the crucifixion of Christ out of morbid curiosity were condemned to an unwanted immortality and to wander through the world witnessing disasters and murders for all eternity. It is The Gathering whose faces are carved in the recently discovered church, and their appearance in Ashby Wake presages some coming disaster in the town.
Ever since the likes of "The Exorcist", "The Omen" and "The Amityville Horror" in the seventies, supernatural thrillers have tended to rely heavily on special effects, with their human protagonists bravely confronting evil ghosts or demons. "The Gathering", however, can be seen as reverting to an earlier tradition of the horror film in which supernatural perils are hinted at rather than shown in their full gory detail. I was particularly reminded of "Curse of the Cat People" from the forties. Like Irena, the ghost in that film, Cassie (who, it transpires, is herself a member of The Gathering) is a supernatural figure who has done wrong in a past life but who seeks to atone for her wrongdoing by protecting rather than harming the humans who surround her. As with Irena, the person whom Cassie is particularly concerned to protect is a young child to whom she has become attached, in this case the Kirkmans' son Michael. As in the earlier film, the real source of danger is not the forces of the supernatural but a human agent, in this case a half-mad motor mechanic seeking an indiscriminate revenge for wrongs done to him.
In keeping with the often grim subject matter, director Brian Gilbert gives the film a restrained, understated and sombre look. I had previously only seen one of Gilbert's films, "Wilde", but that was one which impressed me greatly and I would consider it one of my favourite films of the nineties. "The Gathering" is perhaps not in quite the same class, but it is nevertheless a highly watchable, unusual and intriguing film. It is a thriller with a religious theme which raises some important questions about the nature of evil, sin, atonement and redemption. 7/10
Some goofs. The place name "Ashby", like all English place names ending in –by, is of Norse rather than Saxon origin and is only found in northern and eastern England, in those parts of the country which were settled by Norsemen. "Ashby Wake" is therefore an unlikely name for a city situated in the South-West. (We know it is somewhere near Glastonbury). No Christian churches were built in the 1st century; during this period Christians were a small, persecuted minority who met in one another's homes and had no public places of worship.
The point of making Cassie an American was presumably because the presence of a big- name Hollywood star would help crack the US market, but Christina Ricci fits in well and, unlike some Hollywood stars called on to provide the token big name in a low-budget British film, does not play to the gallery or stand out by reason of an obvious "Look at me! I'm a star!" attitude.
"The Gathering" is a thriller with a supernatural element, here provided by the legend of The Gathering. (This appears to be an invention of the scriptwriter, but has similarities to the legend of the Wandering Jew). According to this legend, a group of people who attended the crucifixion of Christ out of morbid curiosity were condemned to an unwanted immortality and to wander through the world witnessing disasters and murders for all eternity. It is The Gathering whose faces are carved in the recently discovered church, and their appearance in Ashby Wake presages some coming disaster in the town.
Ever since the likes of "The Exorcist", "The Omen" and "The Amityville Horror" in the seventies, supernatural thrillers have tended to rely heavily on special effects, with their human protagonists bravely confronting evil ghosts or demons. "The Gathering", however, can be seen as reverting to an earlier tradition of the horror film in which supernatural perils are hinted at rather than shown in their full gory detail. I was particularly reminded of "Curse of the Cat People" from the forties. Like Irena, the ghost in that film, Cassie (who, it transpires, is herself a member of The Gathering) is a supernatural figure who has done wrong in a past life but who seeks to atone for her wrongdoing by protecting rather than harming the humans who surround her. As with Irena, the person whom Cassie is particularly concerned to protect is a young child to whom she has become attached, in this case the Kirkmans' son Michael. As in the earlier film, the real source of danger is not the forces of the supernatural but a human agent, in this case a half-mad motor mechanic seeking an indiscriminate revenge for wrongs done to him.
In keeping with the often grim subject matter, director Brian Gilbert gives the film a restrained, understated and sombre look. I had previously only seen one of Gilbert's films, "Wilde", but that was one which impressed me greatly and I would consider it one of my favourite films of the nineties. "The Gathering" is perhaps not in quite the same class, but it is nevertheless a highly watchable, unusual and intriguing film. It is a thriller with a religious theme which raises some important questions about the nature of evil, sin, atonement and redemption. 7/10
Some goofs. The place name "Ashby", like all English place names ending in –by, is of Norse rather than Saxon origin and is only found in northern and eastern England, in those parts of the country which were settled by Norsemen. "Ashby Wake" is therefore an unlikely name for a city situated in the South-West. (We know it is somewhere near Glastonbury). No Christian churches were built in the 1st century; during this period Christians were a small, persecuted minority who met in one another's homes and had no public places of worship.
A very nice thriller
Dragoneyed3639 May 2008
Although The Gathering is not my favorite biblical horror film, this movie was really entertaining. Christina Ricci acted fabulously, of course, and all the lines and scenes were edgy and new. I really loved how when there would be something that is supposed to be creepy or scary, they would not play stupid irritating music. They would just let it happen without any rhythms or beats, and I found that interesting and respectable. The twist I would say is really awesome. I would have never suspected it, and it came without warning which really blew my mind. The lines are good, and I might say some material was sleezy, cheesy, and cheap, but for the most of this movie the dialogue was steady. I had never heard anything about this movie when I first watched it, and now I consider a very good movie. I own it and plan on watching it again real soon.
For Ricciphiles ONLY
kevjohn25 July 2004
"The Gathering" is a film that ironically never gathers much steam. Gorgeous locations in the British Isles are wasted on a story that feels like it's building towards something, yet never arrives at anything worthwhile. The story in fact gets quite boring during the early first half of the movie. I sat through this uninteresting mess hoping for an exciting climax to make my hourlong wait all worth it, but I never got one. Instead there was the predictable "twist" ending that I was fearing. What seems like a slow beginning continues through a slow middle then gracelessly plows into a slow conclusion.
The acting ranges anywhere from adequate, to fairly well done, to student film-ish. Christina Ricci is most certainly the only actor in this film that you will have even heard of (although Ioan Gruffudd who plays her like interest in this film will soon be starring in the sure-to-be-blockbuster "Fantastic Four" film). She does well enough here, but where has she ever done any worse than well enough? She has recently been in "Monster," "Prozac Nation," and "Anything Else." Unless you are a megafan and absolutely HAVE to see everything Ricci is in, skip this one and see any of those others.
The acting ranges anywhere from adequate, to fairly well done, to student film-ish. Christina Ricci is most certainly the only actor in this film that you will have even heard of (although Ioan Gruffudd who plays her like interest in this film will soon be starring in the sure-to-be-blockbuster "Fantastic Four" film). She does well enough here, but where has she ever done any worse than well enough? She has recently been in "Monster," "Prozac Nation," and "Anything Else." Unless you are a megafan and absolutely HAVE to see everything Ricci is in, skip this one and see any of those others.
Better as a mystery thriller than a "horror" title
sapphirre4 February 2020
I went into this movie (the cut dvd version, which bought for cheap) expecting a cheap horror film. What I got was... not horror. I enjoyed it a lot, given that I'm a sucker for quaint mystery thrillers in general, but I bought this expecting horror because it markets itself as horror. and this is a bad horror movie.
However, I can look past this because I'm a rather casual movie watcher. I found myself pleasantly surprised at this film's build-up to a sense of dread which hits at about an hour in. The mystery of the movie solves itself in a very satisfactory way, and clocking in at roughly 85 minutes, the movie doesn't overstay its welcome. Granted, nothing new is explored in this movie that hasn't been done better elsewhere. But for anybody looking for something quiet, short, and satisfactory to kill time with, this is a decent film to choose.
However, I can look past this because I'm a rather casual movie watcher. I found myself pleasantly surprised at this film's build-up to a sense of dread which hits at about an hour in. The mystery of the movie solves itself in a very satisfactory way, and clocking in at roughly 85 minutes, the movie doesn't overstay its welcome. Granted, nothing new is explored in this movie that hasn't been done better elsewhere. But for anybody looking for something quiet, short, and satisfactory to kill time with, this is a decent film to choose.
A great idea poorly executed
mariogastel26 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The central idea of this movie is very intriguing. Think about what M. Night Shyamalan could have done with this: On the outskirts Glastonbury, the remains of a church are uncovered which have apparently been deliberately buried centuries before. Most noticeable is the presence a fresco of people facing a statue of the crucified Jezus Christ. Coincidently, a young woman (Christina Ricci) is hit by a car and taken in by the woman responsible. The young woman can't remember what she was doing near Glastonbury. It turns out that the people depicted in the fresco are The Gathering, who seem to be present at numerous horrific occasions in history, simply observing the suffering. Now, these people are walking around in Glastonbury ...
Unfortunately, this idea is the only real merit of this movie. I just can't begin to explain how this movie could have been improved upon. Now, it's basically a great idea poorly executed. With Christina Ricci frantically running around in tight shirts.
Unfortunately, this idea is the only real merit of this movie. I just can't begin to explain how this movie could have been improved upon. Now, it's basically a great idea poorly executed. With Christina Ricci frantically running around in tight shirts.
They Came Not In Holy Reverence To The Crucifixion Of The Lord, But In Lust And To Watch
johnstonjames25 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
a lot of critics didn't like this. i thought it was pretty good. a little under developed and under nourished, but i heard it was edited by about ten minutes. those few minutes would have helped clarify the plot a little more. but as it was, i really liked the premise.
it was about a group of cursed souls that witnessed the crucifixion of Christ and either did nothing but watch, or came to see the violence like some come to enjoy executions.
this film really was a statement on the death penalty and our fascination with cruelty and our indifference to the suffering of others. those things may or may not damn us eternally, only God in Heaven knows these answers, but the speculation here is something to ponder. in all my years of living i have observed people to be either very cruel or very callous to the suffering of others. i see so much hardship and so little caring, it's very disturbing. many people know the stories, the woman in New York crying for help while people close their windows and do nothing. the soldiers in Afghanistan who went on a killing spree of innocent civilians recently,...need i go further? it's too depressing so lets not.
do these things damn us? well, i happen to be a Baptist so maybe i'm not the right person to ask.
this was a good film though. it had a lot more to say than a lot of critics would want you to think.
it was about a group of cursed souls that witnessed the crucifixion of Christ and either did nothing but watch, or came to see the violence like some come to enjoy executions.
this film really was a statement on the death penalty and our fascination with cruelty and our indifference to the suffering of others. those things may or may not damn us eternally, only God in Heaven knows these answers, but the speculation here is something to ponder. in all my years of living i have observed people to be either very cruel or very callous to the suffering of others. i see so much hardship and so little caring, it's very disturbing. many people know the stories, the woman in New York crying for help while people close their windows and do nothing. the soldiers in Afghanistan who went on a killing spree of innocent civilians recently,...need i go further? it's too depressing so lets not.
do these things damn us? well, i happen to be a Baptist so maybe i'm not the right person to ask.
this was a good film though. it had a lot more to say than a lot of critics would want you to think.
Midsomer Murders with a supernatural twist
Leofwine_draca11 June 2015
Despite promise throughout, THE GATHERING is a rather weak slice of horror that proves perfectly watchable but comes across as an extended episode of MIDSOMER MURDERS more than anything else. It has that cosy TV movie feel to it, despite the odd burst of violence, and the play-it-safe script from popular author Anthony Horowitz doesn't break new ground at any point.
The story begins with an American tourist involved in a car accident where she obtains a serious head injury. Suffering amnesia, she goes to live with a household in a village, and soon grows close to a young boy in the family. However, she's plagued with violent premonitions of his death. Meanwhile, the boy's father is uncovering the mystery of a mural depicting the last days of Christ.
THE GATHERING is a sometimes-atmospheric production that occasionally brings to mind the air of spooky mystery in something like THE WICKER MAN. Unfortunately, more often than not it falls flat, thanks to weak plotting and a generally unfocused storyline. Christina Ricci feels out of place and it doesn't help that her character is one of those protagonists who doesn't actually have anything to do with the main storyline. Ioan Gruffudd is there for his looks alone, although Stephen Dillane (GAME OF THRONES) is more interesting as the father figure. The likes of Kerry Fox, Robert Hardy, and Simon Russell Beale barely get a look in during this oddly muted and non-suspenseful tale.
The story begins with an American tourist involved in a car accident where she obtains a serious head injury. Suffering amnesia, she goes to live with a household in a village, and soon grows close to a young boy in the family. However, she's plagued with violent premonitions of his death. Meanwhile, the boy's father is uncovering the mystery of a mural depicting the last days of Christ.
THE GATHERING is a sometimes-atmospheric production that occasionally brings to mind the air of spooky mystery in something like THE WICKER MAN. Unfortunately, more often than not it falls flat, thanks to weak plotting and a generally unfocused storyline. Christina Ricci feels out of place and it doesn't help that her character is one of those protagonists who doesn't actually have anything to do with the main storyline. Ioan Gruffudd is there for his looks alone, although Stephen Dillane (GAME OF THRONES) is more interesting as the father figure. The likes of Kerry Fox, Robert Hardy, and Simon Russell Beale barely get a look in during this oddly muted and non-suspenseful tale.
Something is missing in this film - no surprise, it was cut
w-sky21 September 2007
Yes, unfortunately most DVD releases of "The Gathering" are cut, and that slightly ruins the film. Not because a short explicit scene would make a great difference, but because plot holes were left where about 10 minutes are left out: The authenticity of two main characters, played by Ricci (Cassie) and Gruffudd (Dan) is keenly impaired, and that reduces the overall impression quite a lot. My rating counts for the original version, it would have been 6 for the short version. More info about the differences at "alternate versions" and in the message boards here.
Apart from that, this film has a really nice and intriguing story, mystery, suspense, some religious revelations, a little bit of horror and a gorgeous main actress. Worth watching... if you can get it uncut.
Apart from that, this film has a really nice and intriguing story, mystery, suspense, some religious revelations, a little bit of horror and a gorgeous main actress. Worth watching... if you can get it uncut.
Original rubber neckers
wrlang4 February 2007
Original rubber neckers The Gathering is about a girl who knows something is wrong and can't remember why. She is struck by a car and winds up trying to protect the step son of the woman that hit her. During the film you find out that there are a group of people who watched the crucifixion of Christ just for the sake of watching and for that they are destined to walk the earth watching every tragic event in human history. The few twists at the end explain everything. A little slow, but well done for a story that could really be told in 15 minutes. (Ratings: Bad=1; Average=5; One of the best=10); Acting=08; Plot=08; Scenery=04; Character believability=06; Continuity=05; Dialog=05; Directing=07; Casting=05; Special effects=05; Overall Rating=06
A concept that deserved a better movie.
c_p_c15 February 2007
This film is a perfect example of a great concept stuck in a very sedated and mediocre film. What could have been a very engaging, thrilling, possibly cult status film, is nothing more than an hour and a half of slow pacing and uninspired events.
Filled with clichés from start to finish, this film just never catches on and becomes far to predictable. Sadly, the ideas conveyed through the film and the overall concept are not done justice by the filmmakers. The film is just not that interesting.
Ricci has seen far better days and, especially with her Indie popularity at this time, I am surprised she took this role. Ricci's almost forced acting gives the idea that she wanted off the set as soon as possible. She has done much better. As for the other actors/actresses, there is nothing remarkable or even worth noting.
Its too bad. This film could have been so much more and its sad that the concept was wasted on this film. Maybe, somewhere down the road, it will come up again in a film, but in a film that is far more engaging and intelligent. I wouldn't mind.
Filled with clichés from start to finish, this film just never catches on and becomes far to predictable. Sadly, the ideas conveyed through the film and the overall concept are not done justice by the filmmakers. The film is just not that interesting.
Ricci has seen far better days and, especially with her Indie popularity at this time, I am surprised she took this role. Ricci's almost forced acting gives the idea that she wanted off the set as soon as possible. She has done much better. As for the other actors/actresses, there is nothing remarkable or even worth noting.
Its too bad. This film could have been so much more and its sad that the concept was wasted on this film. Maybe, somewhere down the road, it will come up again in a film, but in a film that is far more engaging and intelligent. I wouldn't mind.
A rare motion picture in the 21st century
skoyles21 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I caught this movie because my HDD recorder caught it. I began watching it and was quickly drawn in by the very British pace and editing, a flavour of times gone by juxtaposed with a mysterious contemporary horror film. It is far from conventional and not particularly caring about hiding any surprises - any twist that might have been expected is revealed to a careful viewer early on. "The Gathering" becomes an example of the most rare of stories in our time: an actual morality play. By setting the two millennium story in a place with genuinely ancient buildings and with a buried church, the writer creates a tale that holds almost mediaeval sensibilities. Flawless it is not, but a truly moral tale of repentance, heroism, self-sacrifice and redemption is unusual today, to say the least. A worthwhile motion picture.
Seen better, seen worse....
shockarmy6 January 2005
after some doubt decided to check the movie. and now after i seen it i am kinda satisfied with it. it is not a super movie for sure, but it's worth your time i guess. it starts out pretty scary with the discovery of the underground crowd and the cross and all. Turns out to be a statue for the "audiance" who watched Jesus die. That part gave me the creeps. My opinion is that they should have done more with that. But instead of that the story with the boy gets more important. and that is alright but also bit boring at times. Also "The Gathering" contains some minor mistakes and stupidities. For example, at one time a woman is shot with a shotgun. Her husband finds her and the ground and wants to call an ambulance. Instead the woman screams that she is alright and that he should check out the kids. But anyhow..
The Gathering Summary
Mr_Sensitive6 February 2005
This movie is starting pretty slowly, (for around 5 min) before you will see Cassie (C.Ricci) that actually cling you to watch the movie.
The movie is about a girl name Cassie, losing her memories after got hit by the car and to find out some mysterious and weird things that happen around her and the family (the one that hit her) she stay with when the mysterious buried church was found.
The gathering will be explain what are they, in the movie so I don't want to spoil your mood.
Overall it is one very good movie and very much thrilling. C. Ricci look really great here and with such a pretty flawless story line this movie is recommended for the one who like to see something a little different in a horror movie.
NOTE: It contain some very disturbing image.
Rating: 7/10 (Grade: B-)
The movie is about a girl name Cassie, losing her memories after got hit by the car and to find out some mysterious and weird things that happen around her and the family (the one that hit her) she stay with when the mysterious buried church was found.
The gathering will be explain what are they, in the movie so I don't want to spoil your mood.
Overall it is one very good movie and very much thrilling. C. Ricci look really great here and with such a pretty flawless story line this movie is recommended for the one who like to see something a little different in a horror movie.
NOTE: It contain some very disturbing image.
Rating: 7/10 (Grade: B-)
Has Christina been forced to do it?
cedde621 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I found my copy of "The Gathering" in a shop in Amsterdam (as the movie was not available in the U.K. at the time) and was truly excited by the prospect of finally watching it comfortably sat at home. Why? Because of the quite exciting premise of course!
A church from the 1st century depicting the crucifixion through an unusual angle (from behind) is uncovered in the English West country. Simultaneously, Cassie Grant, an American drifter gets hit by a car and looses her memory. Settling down temporally with the car driver, her husband and two children, Cassie is assaulted by a series of visions and nightmares while being quite obviously watched by strangers; strangers bearing strong resemblance to the bas-reliefs on the walls of the newly uncovered church. Soon, Cassie discovers that those strangers are The Gathering, willing witnesses of the human tragedies and miseries
Now how's that for promising? And sadly that is where the excitement ends, pretty much.
Where "The Gathering" could have benefited from a more punchy direction, Brian Gilbert, obviously inexperienced in the genre, blandly illustrates his script without much of a spark of passion for its interesting concept.
The results turns what could have been an exciting and unique horror movie into a somewhat run of the mill supernatural thriller (as directors like to call their films when embarrassed by the "horror" tag).
Anne Dudley's score is pretty decent although flirting too much with Jerry Goldsmith's partition for "Basic Instinct" at times.
The whole cast is doing a pretty good job except for Christina Ricci and there lies the main problem. The movie would have definitely benefited from being an all around British production rather than a simple vehicle for its lead actress. Therefore, exit any possibility of subversive or challenging ideas (and considering its original concept there could have been plenty) since the movie is just and ONLY a commercial venture.
In that respect, the final scene where Christina's redeeming her character through that "little-girl-that-once-witnessed-something-terrible" little story is down right ridicule.
Actually, it wouldn't have been that terrible if she had seemed to care about it at all. But Ricci SO obviously doesn't that it quickly becomes embarrassing watching her insipid performance all throughout.
Either that or she's actually not that a good actress.
A church from the 1st century depicting the crucifixion through an unusual angle (from behind) is uncovered in the English West country. Simultaneously, Cassie Grant, an American drifter gets hit by a car and looses her memory. Settling down temporally with the car driver, her husband and two children, Cassie is assaulted by a series of visions and nightmares while being quite obviously watched by strangers; strangers bearing strong resemblance to the bas-reliefs on the walls of the newly uncovered church. Soon, Cassie discovers that those strangers are The Gathering, willing witnesses of the human tragedies and miseries
Now how's that for promising? And sadly that is where the excitement ends, pretty much.
Where "The Gathering" could have benefited from a more punchy direction, Brian Gilbert, obviously inexperienced in the genre, blandly illustrates his script without much of a spark of passion for its interesting concept.
The results turns what could have been an exciting and unique horror movie into a somewhat run of the mill supernatural thriller (as directors like to call their films when embarrassed by the "horror" tag).
Anne Dudley's score is pretty decent although flirting too much with Jerry Goldsmith's partition for "Basic Instinct" at times.
The whole cast is doing a pretty good job except for Christina Ricci and there lies the main problem. The movie would have definitely benefited from being an all around British production rather than a simple vehicle for its lead actress. Therefore, exit any possibility of subversive or challenging ideas (and considering its original concept there could have been plenty) since the movie is just and ONLY a commercial venture.
In that respect, the final scene where Christina's redeeming her character through that "little-girl-that-once-witnessed-something-terrible" little story is down right ridicule.
Actually, it wouldn't have been that terrible if she had seemed to care about it at all. But Ricci SO obviously doesn't that it quickly becomes embarrassing watching her insipid performance all throughout.
Either that or she's actually not that a good actress.
Excellent Horror Film
whpratt127 November 2007
This horror film deals with a church that is buried beneath the earth and it has a scene which depicts Jesus Christ being hung on a cross and their is a large crowd of people who just simply watch and do nothing to try to prevent this murder. Cassie Grant, (Christina Ricci) who is driving her car and runs into a young girl named Marion Kirkman, (Kerry Fox) and Cassie takes care of Marion who has amnesia and cannot remember just who she is. As the film progresses, Marion begins to see many people in the local town who just stare at her and she becomes very close friends with Cassie Grant's children and begins to see that these children are in grave danger from these people who just wander all around and simply just staring and watching every move that they make. There is a deep meaning to this film and it is not just an ordinary horror film but deals with a religious Bible story.
good idea but....
lucifershalo20 March 2003
as it is a fantasy movie, revealing too many secrets can be a bad thing; let's just say that the original idea is quite good but the treatment is so classic, following the usual traps of that kind of movie; a disappointment.
Attention-getting, but underdeveloped
drownsoda9029 April 2018
Cassie Grant is a young American traveling on foot in England who gets hit by a car. The driver invites her to stay at her large estate with her husband, an art historian researching a recently-uncovered church nearby. Cassie's apparent amnesia gives way to disturbing visions related to the church, and a group of individuals in the village who seem to have sinister motives.
This early-2000s supernatural horror romp has been on my radar for years, but it took over a decade before I actually sat down to watch it. It feels very much like a product of its time-the early 2000s, when supernatural thrillers of this sort were very much en vogue. What's unfortunate about "The Gathering" is that it is conceptually a very intriguing film with an engaging premise. As much as it is by-the-numbers, the narrative did draw me in.
Where the film falters is its tonal inconsistencies and pacing. The cinematography is quite gorgeous, with the English locales vividly captured with atmosperhic flair, but there is a choppiness to the proceedings that give it the feel of a made-for-TV movie. I have read that it was truncated, so it is possible that there is a fuller cut of the film somewhere, but the released version feels like it has missing components that would have developed the character relationships a bit better.
Christina Ricci is solid as always, though her performance does feel floppy at times, and there is some dialogue that comes off contrived. Ioan Gruffudd plays the tall, dark & handsome stranger/quasi-love interest and is serviceable. Stephen Dillane and Kerry Fox are quite good as the husband and wife who take in the American traveler.
In the end, "The Gathering" is a mildly fun popcorn horror movie that could have been much more than it was. Whether the result of sloppy writing or sloppy editing, it feels underdeveloped, and that is its main problem. If you enjoy by-the-numbers supernatural thrillers, though, it is quite entertaining. 6/10.
This early-2000s supernatural horror romp has been on my radar for years, but it took over a decade before I actually sat down to watch it. It feels very much like a product of its time-the early 2000s, when supernatural thrillers of this sort were very much en vogue. What's unfortunate about "The Gathering" is that it is conceptually a very intriguing film with an engaging premise. As much as it is by-the-numbers, the narrative did draw me in.
Where the film falters is its tonal inconsistencies and pacing. The cinematography is quite gorgeous, with the English locales vividly captured with atmosperhic flair, but there is a choppiness to the proceedings that give it the feel of a made-for-TV movie. I have read that it was truncated, so it is possible that there is a fuller cut of the film somewhere, but the released version feels like it has missing components that would have developed the character relationships a bit better.
Christina Ricci is solid as always, though her performance does feel floppy at times, and there is some dialogue that comes off contrived. Ioan Gruffudd plays the tall, dark & handsome stranger/quasi-love interest and is serviceable. Stephen Dillane and Kerry Fox are quite good as the husband and wife who take in the American traveler.
In the end, "The Gathering" is a mildly fun popcorn horror movie that could have been much more than it was. Whether the result of sloppy writing or sloppy editing, it feels underdeveloped, and that is its main problem. If you enjoy by-the-numbers supernatural thrillers, though, it is quite entertaining. 6/10.
Watched Because I Loved Ricci...
wildernessbarbie21 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
... in the Addams Family. She was so fantastic as Wednesday that I was conditioned to expect greatness from her. However, I now believe she's just not capable of playing any character who doesn't deliver every line in a deadpan monotone.
This was not supposed to be one of those types of characters.
The whole movie just had this cornball 60's/70's type feel to it. Overly dramatic lines & action for no good reason, hysterical female running amok, chase scenes where nobody says anything, vague generic "bad guy," bad zoom ins and ECU, and the scoring was just so dated it was distracting.
It was oddly short too at 86 minutes, apparently 10min were cut for some odd reason, as it certainly wasn't for length!
Spoilers below...
Why the hell are all the people who were supposedly around in Jesus's time, in a desert climate, depicted as all WHITE?!!? JFC, it's the 21st century. We know better, DO BETTER.
Ricci says she was a little girl when she witnessed that, yet now she's mid 20's? That was middle age+ back then. What was a young girl to do against Roman soldiers, honestly?
They did crucifixions, stonings, etc in public so that people WOULD watch. Such things were even advocated for IN THE BIBLE for perceived sins. Somehow Jesus, who was sent to die, is different?
In 2000 years, none of those "Watchers" thought to try to stop any of the horrifying things they saw? They must have been evil for other reasons then too.
This whole movie paints their god as a cruel, spiteful, vindictive ahole. Which, you know, tracks, I'm just surprised to see the church being so blasé and on board with it.
Location is lovely, two stars just for location scouts, other two for my halcyon memories of Ricci's acting in better roles.
This was not supposed to be one of those types of characters.
The whole movie just had this cornball 60's/70's type feel to it. Overly dramatic lines & action for no good reason, hysterical female running amok, chase scenes where nobody says anything, vague generic "bad guy," bad zoom ins and ECU, and the scoring was just so dated it was distracting.
It was oddly short too at 86 minutes, apparently 10min were cut for some odd reason, as it certainly wasn't for length!
Spoilers below...
Why the hell are all the people who were supposedly around in Jesus's time, in a desert climate, depicted as all WHITE?!!? JFC, it's the 21st century. We know better, DO BETTER.
Ricci says she was a little girl when she witnessed that, yet now she's mid 20's? That was middle age+ back then. What was a young girl to do against Roman soldiers, honestly?
They did crucifixions, stonings, etc in public so that people WOULD watch. Such things were even advocated for IN THE BIBLE for perceived sins. Somehow Jesus, who was sent to die, is different?
In 2000 years, none of those "Watchers" thought to try to stop any of the horrifying things they saw? They must have been evil for other reasons then too.
This whole movie paints their god as a cruel, spiteful, vindictive ahole. Which, you know, tracks, I'm just surprised to see the church being so blasé and on board with it.
Location is lovely, two stars just for location scouts, other two for my halcyon memories of Ricci's acting in better roles.
It's the third element
unbrokenmetal6 October 2005
The Gathering has 2 elements that are familiar to us: first, the thriller element of someone who loses her memory after being hit in a car accident, and later tries to recover from amnesia, while the situation gets more and more dangerous because she doesn't know yet who she is. The second is the horror element of something ancient and evil that is unearthed after many centuries, but still alive. What makes "The Gathering" particularly interesting, however, is the third ingredient: the people who gather are not those who want to do something - they are those who wish not to do anything. The watchers of terrible events, willing audience for any murderer. This idea is put to great use here, and since everything else, from the actors to the countryside location, works fine, I don't see any reason not to enjoy this picture.
Great idea/concept, but botched movie-making ...
Vic_max3 June 2009
The movie starts out pretty great; the first 10 minutes are the makings of a really good movie. There's mystery, death, discovery, ancient underground stuff and amnesia ... all the ingredients of a great premise. By the end, there are twists and revelations - but it's a little slow in coming and a little botched.
There are actually two mysteries going on: one involves a mysterious group of people who just "stare" and another involves visions of death. It gets a little confusing what events in the movie pertain to which mystery - so it's a little convoluted.
While the middle is a bit slow, what I liked about the movie is the idea behind the plot. It involves a new twist on the crucifixion that I haven't heard before, so that "idea" was kind of cool. That said, the ending is done decently, but not very well - so that takes the film down a notch.
Is it worth watching the movie? Sure - if you can catch it on a movie station (like I did on HBO) and don't have to go to any additional effort. Otherwise, it's best to skip it.
There are actually two mysteries going on: one involves a mysterious group of people who just "stare" and another involves visions of death. It gets a little confusing what events in the movie pertain to which mystery - so it's a little convoluted.
While the middle is a bit slow, what I liked about the movie is the idea behind the plot. It involves a new twist on the crucifixion that I haven't heard before, so that "idea" was kind of cool. That said, the ending is done decently, but not very well - so that takes the film down a notch.
Is it worth watching the movie? Sure - if you can catch it on a movie station (like I did on HBO) and don't have to go to any additional effort. Otherwise, it's best to skip it.
Mild entertainment: good idea however done poorly.
megaG3 May 2004
I dont know if Christina Ricci is scraping the bottom of the barrel to keep her career alive but i do know she does seem to take on a lot of bad roles.
This film is probably only known by anyone because of her presence in the movie, as it itself is a disappointment. The idea of an occursed group known as the gathering, forever locked to watch the misery of all man kind as a punishment for watching the crucifiction of Christ in 'lust', is a very good idea i feel. One that could have been the basis for a very well done, and exceptionally clever film. However what we have here is a mediocre film that uses a good idea and a known starlette to sell itself to a crowd that might be fooled into thinking that the screenplay could do the idea justice.
So yes... mildly entertaining but disappointing. I hope Christina Ricci, a peach of an actress, will take on more challenging roles in films that are actually GOOD. If you want to see a good Christina Riccif film, i suggest Prozac Nation - or better yet.... find yourself a copy of The Addams Family, and its sequel Addams Family Values.
This film is probably only known by anyone because of her presence in the movie, as it itself is a disappointment. The idea of an occursed group known as the gathering, forever locked to watch the misery of all man kind as a punishment for watching the crucifiction of Christ in 'lust', is a very good idea i feel. One that could have been the basis for a very well done, and exceptionally clever film. However what we have here is a mediocre film that uses a good idea and a known starlette to sell itself to a crowd that might be fooled into thinking that the screenplay could do the idea justice.
So yes... mildly entertaining but disappointing. I hope Christina Ricci, a peach of an actress, will take on more challenging roles in films that are actually GOOD. If you want to see a good Christina Riccif film, i suggest Prozac Nation - or better yet.... find yourself a copy of The Addams Family, and its sequel Addams Family Values.
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