Julia (Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott) is trying to get her life back after surviving an attack from her former lover, Henry Decker (Peter Woodward), who turned out to be a serial killer who dabbled in black magic. She’s approached by Mike (Gary Webster), the pompous host of TV show Spectre Investigates. He offers a large amount of money to return to her former home and test for any psychic energy. She reluctantly agrees but once in the house, things begin to get strained. Resident psychic Neal (Tony Sands, whose hat should receive a credit of its own) reveals the Harbinger – the centrepiece of Decker’s collection. It’s a fortune-telling machine with an automaton figure, similar to those found at fairgrounds, only this one has a more sinister appearance and – unbeknownst to the team – is possessed by the spirit of Decker.
Director James Crow (Curse of the Witching Tree) makes the most of the low-budget thrills here, particularly with the film’s main location, a rather impressive mansion. It gives the set pieces some gravitas and elevates the production values. The Harbinger design is straight out of Doctor Who, which is by no means a negative point! (Who fans will be happy to see the first companion, Carol Ann Ford, in a small role here.) It’s genuinely creepy, if a little clichéd.
The script – by Harry Boxley and Simon Cluett – is packed with the kind of dialogue you only hear in the movies, delivered by a variable cast, but it’s the horror that fans will be here for. These moments are handled really well, from shots bathed in red light to a kill that goes further than you’d expect.
Harbinger is a fun indie flick, which you’ll enjoy if you go in with the right mind-set.
HARBINGER is on UK digital August 10th and US digital August 11th from Miracle Media.
