This is the perfect example why you should never attend horror movies rated PG-13. The 'horror' factor is so watered down in order to appease the younger targeted audience market, that the film becomes totally unpalatable to the true horror aficionados. This film is no exception; it's truly an unbearable journey into the pseudo macabre with ridiculous situations intentionally orchestrated to place the film's main protagonist into absurd predicaments.
The opening sequence of this film was original enough, where the audience witnesses the brutal homicide of a husband and wife at the hands of their mentally deranged daughter. We later find out that the daughter was never seen again after the vicious attack on her parents. The film jumps ahead four years later, where Elisabeth Shue (Sarah) and her daughter (Elissa played by Jennifer Lawrence) are moving next door the house of the heinous crime. Sarah (Shue) actually states that the only reason that they are able to afford such luxurious accommodations is the house's proximity to the police crime scene. However, unbeknownst to Sarah, the next door house is not empty. It seems that the massacred family had one lone surviving member, Ryan (Max Thieriot), the eldest son. Ryan, after being sent to live with his aunt, has returned to his family's only remaining asset to fix any repairs and sell the family domicile for any cash that he can garner. As in any adolescence drama/horror flick, Elissa is drawn to the pain and anguish that Ryan is exhibiting. When Sarah (Shue) forbids Elissa from continuing to see Ryan, the teenage is further drawn to Ryan's despair. However, (guess what??) Ryan has a deep, dark secret ..
Ryan's secret is revealed at the film's climax, a secret so ludicrous and completely asinine that everything following the film's reveal is basically too preposterous to continue to even watch this film. A flashback to a childhood accident further exacerbates this conundrum. This film is really bad, and I mean bad awful!!! Horrible acting, horrendous plot, atrocious dialogue, and a farcical premise, I cannot recommend this film, not even home for home viewing. All in all, this is a terrible film. It would be best to avoid this one, if you know what's good for you.
The opening sequence of this film was original enough, where the audience witnesses the brutal homicide of a husband and wife at the hands of their mentally deranged daughter. We later find out that the daughter was never seen again after the vicious attack on her parents. The film jumps ahead four years later, where Elisabeth Shue (Sarah) and her daughter (Elissa played by Jennifer Lawrence) are moving next door the house of the heinous crime. Sarah (Shue) actually states that the only reason that they are able to afford such luxurious accommodations is the house's proximity to the police crime scene. However, unbeknownst to Sarah, the next door house is not empty. It seems that the massacred family had one lone surviving member, Ryan (Max Thieriot), the eldest son. Ryan, after being sent to live with his aunt, has returned to his family's only remaining asset to fix any repairs and sell the family domicile for any cash that he can garner. As in any adolescence drama/horror flick, Elissa is drawn to the pain and anguish that Ryan is exhibiting. When Sarah (Shue) forbids Elissa from continuing to see Ryan, the teenage is further drawn to Ryan's despair. However, (guess what??) Ryan has a deep, dark secret ..
Ryan's secret is revealed at the film's climax, a secret so ludicrous and completely asinine that everything following the film's reveal is basically too preposterous to continue to even watch this film. A flashback to a childhood accident further exacerbates this conundrum. This film is really bad, and I mean bad awful!!! Horrible acting, horrendous plot, atrocious dialogue, and a farcical premise, I cannot recommend this film, not even home for home viewing. All in all, this is a terrible film. It would be best to avoid this one, if you know what's good for you.