Review of The Messengers (2007) by Seth B — 07 Dec 2012

''You know I bought this farm to try and keep this family from falling apart. Now I wonder if I was just running away from our problems.''.

An ominous darkness invades a seemingly serene sunflower farm in North Dakota, and the Solomon family is torn apart by suspicion, mayhem and murder. Jess the troubled teen falling prey to the cry wolf routine falls on deaf ears when her worst fears are realized...

Kristen Stewart: Jess.

Dylan McDermott: Roy.

Penelope Ann Miller: Denise.

John Corbett: Burwell.

The Messengers takes all the best aspects from previous horrors and throws them all into the mix. What comes out is a cross between Resident Evil, Evil Dead, Silent Hill and The Amityville Horror.

Right from the word go I could tell Sam Raimi's influence by the style and the house setting which instantly clicked in my mind.

Kirsten Stewart as Jess who I've previously seen in Panic Room is on top form. The part with her and the little boy is so effective that it made me not look away.

Music, sounds and the whole setting are perfect. Scares are frequent and often, the use of quiet and then a sudden immense shocking boom gives me shuddery tingles. The crows and the creatures definitely reminded me of a computer game.

It may have been done before but this is a horror film that shines in its retelling of an age old formula. Horror fans will lap it up as it's got an intelligent thriller side to it as well as a blood soaked one.

''There is evidence to suggest that children are highly susceptible to paranormal phenomena. They see what adults cannot. They believe what adults deny. And they are trying to warn us.''.