HALF LIGHT
Every parent’s worst nightmare informs this Demi Moore chiller, re-emerged from 2006; after the death of her young son, novelist Rachel Carlson heads off to a small Scottish coastal town to recover and work on her latest book. She’s not alone in her eerie writer’s retreat though – as they so often tend to do, her demons have followed all the way from London, manifesting in such a manner that threatens to encroach into her reality, posing a very real threat to her and that book she really should be finishing.
He gets a name-check at the start, but there are echoes of Stephen King to the story, in which a troubled writer suffers supernatural visions in a small, folksy town. Bear with it though, for it takes a good while to get there. Half Light is more romantic mystery than horror film proper, spending most of its time on a tentative romance between Rachel and local lighthouse keeper (really) Angus McCulloch (really). The beautiful Scottish environment and cheery if cautious locals all add to an impressive atmosphere, backed up by fine actors such as Hans Matheson, James Cosmo (he of Game of Thrones) and LOST fan favourite Henry Ian Cusick (distractingly being one of the few people not to speak with a Scottish accent). Moore is the weakest link, her acting becoming worse the happier her character is – thankfully, the story doesn’t give her too much opportunity for happiness. An odd holiday location for one whose son drowned to death; a Scottish island literally surrounded by water.
Easy, engaging viewing, Half Light will bore most fans of ‘real’ horror, being soapy and inoffensive for the most part, but those who don’t necessarily need jump scares or gore should appreciate its light mystery and rugged visuals. With no special features and no frills, this DVD keeps itself afloat on story alone. Quite why it’s resurfaced now – nearly ten years since its original release – is unclear, but it didn’t exactly deserve to sink without a trace either.
Special Features: None
INFO: HALF LIGHT / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: CRAIG ROSENBERG / SCREENPLAY: CRAIG ROSENBERG / STARRING: DEMI MOORE, HANS MATHESON, JAMES COSMO, HENRY IAN CUSICK / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
