Review: Nothing Left To Fear / Cert: 15 / Director: Anthony Leonardi III / Screenplay: Jonathan W.C. Mills / Starring: Anne Heche, Clancy Brown, James Tupper, Ethan Peck, Rebekah Brandes, Jennifer Stone / Release Date: Out Now
The first release from Slasher Films takes us to the town of Stull, Kansas and introduces us to Pastor Dan (Tupper), his wife (Heche) and their three kids. Pastor Dan has agreed to take over from the retiring Pastor Kingsman (Brown) and on arriving, everything seems idyllic enough. The locals help to move them in and everyone appears to be more than welcoming, but as with any horror film, you know that it’s never going to stay that way.
Unbeknownst to the new family in town, their purpose is a much more important one than taking over the church. One of the family is chosen to be the saviour of the town, but not in a good way, and when it all becomes clear what is going on, it’s a question of whether the family can escape their enforced destiny or not.
The film is a slow burner, and has some impressive leads. There’s no sensationalism on show here, with the effects kept to a minimum and only used when integral to the story. The overall arc is one we’ve seen before countless times with the new guys in town not knowing what lies in store for them – but for once, neither do we. That’s the film’s biggest strength, leading us along until all is revealed. Unfortunately, that’s where it also falls short.
Because what we are seeing is all too familiar, we think we know what’s going to happen and although it’s probably not what we thought, when the intentions become clear it’s almost a let down. If you read up on the backstory of Stull, there’s a rich heritage of tales to utilise and it feels frustrating to know that the creators didn’t delve a little deeper into that. With these types of horror films, you should have a blanketing feeling of impending dread, but it’s missing here.
However, with that said, it’s a promising, if stuttering debut from the fledgling studio and provides signs that better is to come.
Extras: None
