Over the past four years, the After Dark Horrorfest has provided the horror genre with some graphic films that stretch the genre to its limits. While in its attempt to be different, it seems that every year the same themes are visited again and again, with meandering results. The Reeds is no exception however what begins as one tired and true genre formula suddenly takes a turn into another tired and true formula that disappoints.
Six friends in their 20s (they look a little too old to be college graduates) decide to have a fun excursion for a weekend and rent a small boat called the Corsair Star amongst a marshland. They just want to have some fun, drink a little beer, and smoke a little pot. I know, totally original. After an encounter with some shady looking kids, a catastrophic event occurs where they have to turn back, but there are many factors interfering with them which make it a fight for survival.
The Reeds, while it does have a few things going well for it, ultimately falls short of its intentions by not deciding which sub genre it wants to be: routine slasher film or psychological chiller. Speaking of routine, the story here is just that and it’s not difficult to figure out where it’s going to go, especially in the second half. Where the film does work is the graphic and realistic ways in which the friends get slaughtered. It’s not a quick pain, their deaths are slow, methodical, and they all suffer on screen. The special effects are well done, especially when one of them is nearly burned beyond recognition and tries to survive. The film’s final act is a mess where it’s disappointing even though you know it’s going to lead to this route.
There is a spooky atmosphere which despite its large marshlands provides a sense of claustrophobia. It’s an interesting approach and for the most part the filmmakers succeed in making the lands a character onto itself. The heavy fog adds to the atmosphere (even in daylight) and provides a decent touch to the look of the film. The acting are OK but not memorable but that’s because none of the characters are, except for Anna Brewster as Laura, who emerges as the film’s heroine.
The film is well directed by Nick Cohen, making the best use of its locations and atmosphere on a $1.6 million dollar budget.
– Alan G. Richter
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
