The Awakening

It's spectacularly lazy when reviewing films to say Enter Film Name Here is Enter Film Name Here meets Enter Film Name Here crossed with Enter Film Name Here. So here goes: The Awakening is The Devil's Backbone meets The Orphanage crossed with Shutter Island. Basically, if you love the sound of that you'll like this film. Rebecca Hall stars as Florence Cathcart, an exposer of ghost and spirit scams during the grim days of post WWI England. Despite initial reluctance she soon finds herself on a case investigating some bump in the night type shenanigans at a remote boy's boarding school. Pretty soon incidents occur that not even Cathcart's sceptical views can explain away, all leading up to the second viewing required style ending. This is writer / director Nick Murphy's debut feature and though you don't need to wear a winter jacket, he does deliver a film that contains enough chills to have horror veterans take notice. Setting the film in 1921 is a stroke of genius from Murphy as, when it comes to Cathcart's investigations, less means more as video cameras, mobile phones, infra-red scopes etc are replaced by the simple unnerving sound of a lone bell ringing to indicate possible spooks on the prowl. On the acting front Hall appears to relish the chance in a lead role, but the supporting players (including Dominic West and Imelda Staunton) are too underwritten to make much of an impact. In other negatives, loud scare music rears its head one too many times and the twisty ending may be one step too far for some. Let's not be too harsh here though as Murphy has delivered an accomplished first feature, including the greatest edge of the seat scene ever to involve a doll's house.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Stretches it's premise to breaking point, but this has sufficient smarts to ponder and scares to "enjoy". Rating: 7/10.