My quick rating - 5,2/10. This flick attempts to weave together a tapestry of horror elements, but unfortunately, the end result is a mishmash of good ideas marred by mediocre execution. Chief of Police John Hawkins (Allan Hawco), played by a resolute but underutilized protagonist, is counting down his last days in the sleepy town of Lone Crow. The film takes an intriguing premise, where Hawkins is pulled into one last investigation when a mangled body with unsettling wounds is discovered on the shores of the eerie Porcupine River. One of the film's strengths is its potential since I just kept seeing what could have been. It teases at a promising blend of supernatural, psychological, and mystery elements, offering viewers a menu of horror experiences. However, these elements are never effectively tied together, leaving you with a sense of disconnection and frustration rather than fear or suspense. Natalie Brown's portrayal of Linda, the scientist's wife, stands out as one of the more compelling aspects of the film. Her character holds an air of mystery and unease, but unfortunately, she isn't given enough screen time to fully explore the depth of her character. Brown's performance hints at what could have been a standout role if given more substantial material to work with. Where I thought this flick falters most is in its pacing and lack of coherent storytelling. It struggles to maintain a consistent tone and often veers between eerie tension and awkward, disjointed scenes. The narrative lacks a clear direction, leaving you bewildered as they navigate through a series of disconnected events and subplots. This lack of cohesion diminishes the potential impact of the film's horror elements, rendering them more confusing than chilling. The film's visual and sound effects are a mixed bag. While there are moments of genuinely eerie imagery and an atmospheric score, they can't fully compensate for the disjointed narrative and uneven performances. I just found myself frustrated and ultimately disappointed that director Rodrigo Gudiño couldn't merge these different horror elements into one cohesive narrative. Even with these flaws, it still provided a fairly engaging fright fest which is why I just kept dwelling on the sheer potential. While it boasts good ideas and occasional moments of genuine unease, these aspects are overshadowed by the film's lack of direction and disjointed storytelling. For an hour-and-a-half scare, it will still keep you entertained and I am always drawn to some good practical effects which this one used effectively.
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