From Within (2008)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Phedon Papamichael

Writer (WGA):

Brad Keene (written by)

Release Date:

3 June 2009 (Philippines)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If you believe in the light, you've got to believe in the dark

Plot:

The residents of a small American town begin to die one-by-one apparently by suicide...

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Hanging | Ghost | Splatter | Small Town

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Elizabeth Rice	...	Lindsay
Thomas Dekker	...	Aidan
Kelly Blatz	...	Dylan
Laura Allen	...	Trish
Adam Goldberg	...	Roy
Margo Harshman	...	Sadie
Rumer Willis	...	Natalie
Brittany Robertson	...	Claire
Steven Culp	...	Pastor Joe
Jared Harris	...	Bernard
Amanda Babin	...	Molly
Michelle Babin	...	Evil Molly
Candace Scholz	...	Mary
David Ariniello	...	Paul
Jamie Linck O'Brien	...	Kelly (as Jamie O'Brien)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, disturbing images and some language.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (35 mm version) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Havre de Grace, Maryland, USA

Company:

Burgundy Films

Goofs:

Continuity: Before Aidan and Lindsey run into the woods, Aidan is holding a gun and the book. While they are running through, he doesn't have the book anymore but when they get shot at and split up, he has it again.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Untitled 'From Within' Sequel (2010)

Soundtrack:

Inner Doggie Blues

Legendary cinematographer scores big with this thriller

Imagine if the award-winning cinematographer of the 2007 epic "3:10 to Yuma" decided to direct his own film. With over 40 titles under his belt, Phedon Papamichael is one of the industry's icons. Well, imagine no more. In the Brad Keene-penned "From Within," which had its World Premiere here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, Papamichael takes his considerable expertise behind the camera and crafts an auspicious directorial debut in the Hitchcock tradition.

Something is amiss in Grovetown. The suicide in the opening scene triggers a mystery which will bring teenagers Lindsay (Elizabeth Rice) and Aiden (Thomas Dekker) together in a quest for the truth, both about the occurrences as well as themselves.

The performances of Thomas Dekker ("Heroes," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") and Elizabeth Rice ("Mad Men") are at the heart of the movie and it's their believability which makes this film so emotional and poignant. Dekker's frightening gaze and enigmatic demeanor never lets up, in perfect contrast to Rice's innocence and vulnerability. Veteran Adam Goldberg (Roy), Rumer Willis (Natalie), and Kelly Blatz (Dylan) are also standouts.

"From Within" is technically brilliant. The use of single-point lighting and color palette of blues and grays in interior scenes are especially effective in enhancing the shadowy nature of the story, with sunset shots that would likely have been scuttled in a typical Hollywood movie. Here, the dim light works to the film's advantage. The sound effects, along with the Jason Cooper and Oliver Kraus score, also play a particularly distinct role here and are a major plus. As in any film of this genre, visual effects are key and they are top-notch. Most of all, though, the camera-work is simply breathtaking. Shot in widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the chilling locations and copious use of POV shots enhance the Hitchcockian feel of "From Within" -- no surprise given the director's background.

Although the film's first act leans toward horror, it soon becomes apparent that "From Within" is a story-driven psychological thriller more than anything and doesn't need to rely on blood and gore, although there's enough to please fans of the genre. The film's many twists and turns will hold audiences' interest right up to the closing credits. A creepy tale with a strong message about religious extremism and tolerance make "From Within" more than just another gorefest. From Within is a solid thriller with enough suspense to keep the viewer guessing until the end.