Review of Seconds Apart (2011) by Miyon R — 09 Jul 2011

Seth (Gary Entin) and Jonah (Edmund Entin) are twins who use their telepathy to murder their classmates in sadistic ways and then watch the videotaped murders in an attempt to feel fear. Years earlier, their first victim was the babysitter who devoured a lovely breakfast concoction of milk and glass shards. Fast forward to present day when a group of jocks kill themselves during a game of Russian Roulette, which prompts the police and a haggard detective, Lampkin (Orlando Jones), to start an investigation.

No one wants to talk, especially not about the twins. His suspicion grows after Katie, a fellow student who rats them out, slits her own throat in broad daylight during class. Lampkin takes it upon himself to mercilessly stalk and harass the boys. With the detective recording their every blink and fart and the arrival of a new student, Eve (Samantha Droke), tension between Seth and Jonah spirals out of control toward a climactic conclusion.

This isn't much of a horror or thriller film despite perhaps one cringe-worthy scene put in for shock value. It's more of a mystery & suspense/crime drama but, CSI fans, stay far, far away, lest you want to burst into tears every time Lampkin hits the screen to continue his inappropriate reign of terror on the twins. The shoddy detective work is highly suspect and, obviously, the writer didn't research this aspect of the film as much as he did telepathy. Is it going to go noticed by the average viewer? Probably not.

The movie idles midway through but it manages to come back to life toward the end. Despite the faltering story, the performances are above average, which is surprising for lesser known flicks, horror or otherwise. Most horror buffs will find Seconds Apart distinctive and refreshing. Everyone else may just see it as another hokey After Dark presentation with cute, creepy twins.