Finding Peace Amongst the Shadows

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MOVIE REVIEW
Amityville: Where the Echo Lives
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): Carlos Ayala
Writer(s): Carlos Ayala, Simona Curkoska
Cast: Sarah McDonald, Breanna Rossi, Adela Perez, Nicholas J. Barelli
Where To Watch: On Demand and Digital October 29, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: I have a long, complicated history with the Amityville franchise. Long story short, I started collecting and watching every film in the series. If you’re unaware, Amityville can’t be copyrighted because it’s a town name. So anyone can make an Amityville movie, and once that was found out, they started flooding into the world almost weekly. So when I saw the press release for AMITYVILLE: WHERE THE ECHO LIVES, I was a little gunshy; however, it steps beyond the boundaries of some of its predecessors, exploring the intersections of psychological drama and the supernatural. While I still only give the film a 2.5 out of five, that’s surprisingly high for one of the sequels in this franchise, with well over 50 titles and counting. This latest installment departs from its classic horror roots, focusing instead on a journey into personal trauma and eerie encounters. With a narrative that delves into Sarah McDonald's (Heather West) psychological battles, the film presents a new take on the haunted house motif.

McDonald shines as Heather, a paranormal investigator haunted by spirits and her father's legacy. The film portrays her struggle with grief as she investigates a home where supernatural activity mirrors her internal battles. This layer adds an intriguing twist to the plot, framing her anguish as a central element of the horror she experiences.

Directed by Carlos Ayala, the film adopts a subdued approach to horror, prioritizing mood and character development over jump scares. This might not sit well with fans expecting the conventional thrills associated with the Amityville name. However, McDonald’s portrayal effectively captures the dual realities Heather faces—the tangible and the psychological, making for a nuanced character study amidst the ghostly phenomena.

The film’s pacing is deliberate, with lengthy scenes focusing more on character introspection than advancing a horror narrative. Heather’s reflective monologues and diary entries lend the film a distinctive arthouse vibe, deepening the exploration of themes such as grief and recovery. This approach risks alienating viewers in search of typical genre thrills.

On the technical front, AMITYVILLE: WHERE THE ECHO LIVES employs a minimalist horror style. The reliance on practical effects and controlled cinematography enhances the film’s focus on atmospheric tension and character vulnerability.

Lionsgate’s inclusion of this film in the Amityville series highlights their willingness to embrace diverse storytelling methods. This decision underscores a commitment to broadening the narrative scope within established franchises, offering audiences a reflective horror experience that challenges genre conventions.

As a Halloween viewing option, this film is an intriguing alternative for those who favor psychological depth over explicit horror. It prompts viewers to confront the supernatural elements and the personal demons that shape our fears and responses.

AMITYVILLE: WHERE THE ECHO LIVES invites viewers to explore the quieter, shadow-filled corridors of the mind alongside the haunted spaces of the physical world. The film encourages a journey that is as much about healing personal traumas as it is about encountering spectral entities.

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE]

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