London Voodoo (2004)

When a young man relocates his family from New York to London his wife discovers a new sexuality and power that threatens to tear the family apart. As his wife's behaviour becomes more ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Pratten

Writer:

Robert Pratten

Stars:

Doug Cockle, Sara Stewart, Michael Nyqvist

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Doug Cockle	...	Lincoln Mathers
Sara Stewart	...	Sarah
Michael Nyqvist	...	Magnus
Trisha Mortimer	...	Fiona
Sven-Bertil Taube	...	Lars
Vonda Barnes	...	Kelly
Steve O'Halloran	...	Roger
Roy Borrett	...	Lee
Carmen Abela	...	Sue
Kevin Stone	...	Realtor (Estate Agent)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marc Appleby	...	Simon
Canelle Hoppe	...	Voodoo follower
Amy Rockson	...	Disciple
Dickon Tolson	...	Jeff
Denise Worme	...	Voodoo follower

Storyline

When a young man relocates his family from New York to London his wife discovers a new sexuality and power that threatens to tear the family apart. As his wife's behaviour becomes more violent and erratic, our hero accepts that to save the woman he married he must open his mind and trust the people whose beliefs he has refused to acknowledge.

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural | suspense | businessman | nanny | possession | 

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Taglines:

If you don't believe in voodoo...pray you never have to

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Zen Films [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 2004 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Bow, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zen Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Your World and Mine"
Written by Steven Severin & Arban Ornelas
Performed by Darling Hate

User Reviews

Mixed Bag!

Whilst Rob Pratten has to be commended for making a truly independent british horror film, the end result, like most British independent horror films is a mixed bag in which the film makers undeniable talent and ambition is compromised by a lack of resources and self restraint. Lifting several cliched ideas from The Omen and Amityville Horror, London Voodoo tells the tale of an unlikely American couple who move to London in an attempt to salvage their relationship, but whose fortunes take a turn for the worse when they discover that their new home is haunted by a voodoo spirit. Whilst you can see the commercial logic in writing american characters into the lead roles, the unknown, ex-pat actors that Pratten cast, both deliver uncharismatic leaden performances and their characters are written in such a heavy handed, unsympathetic way that unfortunately this debut effort falls at the first hurdle. Once you get over this initial disappointment, there are moments and contributions that suggest what could have been, particularly Trisha Mortimer as the 'love-keeper' who manages to breath life into Prattens inconsistant dialogue and Voda Barnes who although over-written is suitably sexy as the Au-Pair. Comic relief is provided by the two decorators and supporting afro-carribean cast add flavour to otherwise dull proceedings. Also worthy of note are the businessmen in the office scenes, which demonstrate that when Pratten is not trying to make a load of spookery convince, he's actually quite a good writer/director. Shot hand held on 16mm with basic lighting the film has the look of a television special, the locations are functional as opposed to aesthetic and the synthesised score home-spun and cliched. The best production values can be found in the voodoo paraphanalia which suggest authenticity and a great deal of research. At 98 minutes the film is too long and would benefit tremendously from a ten minute trim, particularly the scenes where various voodoo practioners stop the narrative dead to deliver pages of expository mumbo jumbo in an attempt to give some kind of spiritual context to the proceedings. I gave this film 4 out of 10, shows promise but must try harder.