A twisted and mysterious family are unable to leave their home for some unknown reason. When they decide to turn their captivity into a sick and violent game, it challenges their very reality and puts all of their lives in great jeopardy. Director Richard Griffin, working from a subtle and original script by Guy Benoit, relates the morbidly fascinating story at a stately pace, maintains a dark serious tone throughout, and does a bang-up job of creating a quietly spooky and unsettling atmosphere. Better still, Griffin and Benoit adroitly explore the most grim, scary, and disturbing kind of horror in existence: The horror of the human mind, with a specific chilling emphasis on its capacity for extreme cruelty and madness. The top-notch acting by the first-rate cast keeps the picture on track: The always dependable Debbie Rochon dominates the proceedings with her stand-out portrayal of stern and domineering matriarch the Governess, Sarah Nicklin projects a disarmingly sweet appeal as child-like innocent Laura, and Michael Reed delivers a sound and engaging performance as charming and handsome boarder Chris, plus there are fine contributions from Michael Thurber as the snide butler, Evalena Marie as the brash and sexy Rocki, and Rich Tretheway as gentle oaf Lance. Gorgeously shot in stark noirish black and white by Ken Willinger, with a delicately eerie score, several startling moments of sudden savage violence, and a haunting final image, it's one to relish.
Review of Exhumed
