Director Victor Garcia is officially responsible for one of my favorite films of this year. The Damned is a fantastic take on the possession genre that gives us a mixed bag of emotions to try to juggle. This movie has elements of films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Fallen, and Evil Dead to name a few.
The acting is superb and the story carries itself nicely without feeling too drawn out or too rushed. The Damned really has a feeling of dread that lingers with you throughout the whole film. Garcia and his writer, Richard D’Ovidio, brought the characters to life (and death) in such a way that we, the audience, can relate and almost place ourselves in some of the roles. Everyone has a secret, some more destructive than others, and they can all be used against us.
This is a step in the right direction for our beloved horror genre. I would strongly suggest picking this one up for a multitude of reasons — the cinematography is wonderful, as well as the landscape, and the rotting farm-house. The violence, while not as graphic as films like Inside or The Evil Dead, has a quality about the horror that is rarely seen. Whether on-screen or off, the violence holds its own. The story itself may seem a bit like familiar ground, which will make you comfortable enough to watch and see what unique things Garcia brings to the table.
It won’t take long for you to get engrossed in the story. I could go on for days about the things I liked in this film. While it is not a perfect piece, it is a fun ride with some great things for all horror fans to get behind. Pick up a copy on DVD or Blu-ray from IFC Films on November 11.
I personally give this film 3.5 cockroaches out of 5.
