The Initiation of Sarah (2006) (TV)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Stuart Gillard

Writers (WGA):

Daniel Berendsen (teleplay)
Tom Holland (story) ...

Release Date:

22 October 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Sisters. Sororities. Sacrifices.

Plot:

A college student uses her supernatural powers against a rival sorority house. A remake of the 1978 TV movie.

Plot Keywords:

Sisters | Supernatural | Sorority | Sacrifice | Remake

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Mika Boorem	...	Sarah Goodwin
Summer Glau	...	Lindsey Goodwin
Joanna Garcia	...	Corinne (as JoAnna Garcia)
Tessa Thompson	...	Esme
Ben Ziff	...	Finn
Morgan Fairchild	...	Trina Goodwin
Jennifer Tilly	...	Dr. Eugenia Hunter
Amber Wallace	...	Vita (as Amber Brooke Wallace)
Damon Lipari	...	Damien
Caitlin Wehrle	...	Alpha Nu #2
Jessica Luza	...	Girl #1
Caroline Jahna	...	Girl #2
Greer Howard	...	Young Woman
Abigail Leigh	...	Attendant
Rachael Lee Magill	...	P.E.D. #1 (as Rachael Magill)

Runtime:

90 min

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Centenary College - 2911 Centenary Boulevard, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA

Company:

ABC Family

Quotes:

Finn: That went well. Oddly... but well.

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Initiation of Sarah (1978) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Paralyzed

An entertaining, well-done occult movie that puts "The Craft" to shame

This movie is amazing, and definitely not something I'd expect from ABC Family. It's captivating, mature, and has a twist that I absolutely didn't see coming. The actors show talent beyond their years, the story keeps you guessing, and it's one of the few movies about the occult that doesn't make me ashamed of how commercialized witchcraft has become. There's a lot of universal themes that really give it heart: finding greatness in the most unlikely of places, learning to accept and embrace your inherent differences, and of course, fighting like (and against) all hell for the people that you love.

I believe what makes a great fiction movie is its ability to seem like it almost could be real. Granted, the demonic sorority sisters, the existence of "The One" and the super-cool magick tricks are a bit of a stretch, but there's a lot in the movie that's believable. For example, the relationship dynamic between Sarah and her sister is easy for anyone to relate to, especially if you've ever felt like you were overshadowed by a sibling. The struggle of good vs. evil is something that we all fight with at some point, if not every day of our lives. And the desire for acceptance at all costs...I know I shudder to think of the things I've done in the past to try to get the popular girls to like me. This movie makes it very easy to relate to its characters, even the minor ones. I know my bet friend in high school was a dead ringer for Vita. And for all those stickler Wiccans out there, the initiation ceremonies of both sororities are actually similar to real coven initiations, i.e. the kisses, the wording of the pledge, etc.

This is really a great movie, people, much better than the original. It's got character, it's got flair, and it's got intensity. Definitely two hours well spent. Oh, and just in case you're wondering: my ABSOLUTE favorite part is when Sarah runs off to save Finn from being sacrificed in the eternal flame. I couldn't stop laughing. It was beyond priceless; can't believe ABC Family actually showed it, lol.

Blessed Be.