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So as you know, I stopped writing lengthy reviews on this site this year, keeping the blog as more of a film diary of sorts.  Lo and behold,...

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Movie Review - The Pact

The Pact (2012)
Starring Caity Lotz, Casper Van Dien, and Agnes Bruckner
Directed by Nicholas McCarthy
***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***

The Pact is a nice little ghost story from first time director-writer Nicholas McCarthy that manages to create an appropriate sense of eeriness on what I can only assume was a relatively small budget.  I wasn't blown away by this one as it does meander a little bit especially in the middle, but thanks to a solidly exciting conclusion, The Pact proves to be better than expected for a film that never really made it past the 2012 film festival circuits.

When Annie (Caity Lotz) receives word that her mother has died, she returns to her childhood home to meet up with her sister Nichole (Agnes Bruckner).  Upon arriving, Nichole is nowhere to be found causing Annie to be fed up with the fact that her sister has likely escaped on one of her drug binges again.  However, as Annie spends more time in her old home, she begins to wonder if the creaks and bumps in the night she's hearing aren't simply signs of a house in decay, but perhaps indications that an otherworldly presence is in her midst.

Relative newcomer Caity Lotz is appealing enough to hold our interest and considering she's onscreen for nearly the entirety of the film, that's certainly a positive.  The rest of the cast leaves a bit to be desired, particularly Casper Van Dien who I only know from Starship Troopers -- and, based off his work here where he overacts as a gruff and grizzled cop, there's likely a reason he's been relegated to tv movies for the past fifteen years.  Still, it's not enough of a problem to be a turn-off mostly because the director manages to keep the film suspenseful enough to overlook the acting a little bit.

The Pact isn't going to blow you away, but it's a bit unique enough particularly in the film's final act to warrant a watch if you're interested in a ghost story.

The RyMickey Rating:  C+

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