Review of Bay Coven (1987) by Rob V — 22 Apr 2006

Bay Cove (aka "Bay Coven" "The Devils of Bay Cove", and "Strangers in Town").

Starring: Pamela Sue Martin, Tim Matheson, Barbara Billingsley, Woody Harrelson, and James Sikking.

Director: Carl Shenkel.

Linda and Jerry, a pair of Boston-based Yuppies (Martin and Matheson) get a deal that's too good to be true on a grand old house in the tiny island community of Bay Cove. Once relocated, though, Linda discovers that the neighborhood has gone to hell--literally, as all their new neighbors may be immortal Satanists.

"Bay Cove" is a low-key, a little-too-slow-in-the-build-up, completely predictable made-for-TV horror movie that would fit perfectly on the Lifetime or Hallmark Channel. The acting is mostly average (with Martin being the bottom of the pack, never seeming like she's quite awake), but the camera work is well-done. Although the movie makes some half-hearted attempts at playing the "is she crazy or not" game, it really doesn't manage to shed enough doubt on what's going on to make the audience question Linda's findings--yes, the new neighbors are indeed immortal witches who are up to no good. The film is at its best and scariest for a few scenes toward the end, but otherwise it just sort of moves along its plot-track, dilligently giving us the "something ain't right with the townies" mainstays and ultimately reaching its similarly by-the-book climax.

There's nothing terribly bad about this film, but there's also nothing that's particularly good. Leave it on the shelf at the DVD store, and watch it only on late-night TV if there's nothing else available but infomercials.