I really enjoy horror films that involve a religious plot that pins God vs. The Devil, good vs. evil or what have you. But the problem with most of them is that the majority of them that are put direct to DVD are pretty lame and boring. That however does not apply to this film “The Garden”. Although the film has it’s up and downs, the story holds it’s own and while it’s biblical references can be argued, it does not stray to far from the truth about Armageddon and provides the open minded individual with a good theory.
The story is about a father and son whom are traveling back home after Sam (The Son) is released from a mental hospital. While traveling back home the father stops at a horse farm and buys four work horses for his farm. On there way back home however they get into a serious car accident. In enter Lance Henriksen, whom is an old man living on a farm. He rescues the duo from their car troubles and offers the father a job on the farm after finding out that they can’t return home until a quarantine is lifted on the local farms in the area where they live. However each day they spend on the farm get’s stranger and stranger as we find out the truth about the old man, and who really is.
The plot is good and does hold it’s own, but there are some holes in the script which are not fully explained such as why Sam cuts himself and it’s never really mentioned that his father has issues with drinking. However it’s hinted well enough for anyone to get the point, although it’s not fully explained why in the plot. I really liked the pacing and editing of the film as well. It help bring the story to life while keeping the viewer interested in the what was going on and what was about to happen.
The acting is pretty decent and not bad for a film with a limited budget. Lance Henriksen does a fabulous job with his part. Adam Taylor Gordon starts off a little shaky, but ends with a great performance as Sam. The rest of the cast does a pretty good job in there roles.
As far as effects go, we get some CGI, but not as much as we do make-up effects, and yes we do get a lot of make-up effects that look pretty dam good. However on scares the film relies on building the suspense then hitting you directly with the scares.
Overall, I enjoyed watching “The Garden” and so did my wife who’s not much for watching horror films. The film brings a good fresh story to the sub genre of religious horror. Well worth buying to add to your DVD collection and well worth renting.
– Horror Bob
- 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
