Horror Rooted in Humanity and Unrelenting Dread

Read Time:4 Minute, 31 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Round the Decay
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 46m
Director(s): Adam Newman
Writer(s): Adam Newman
Cast: Roger Clark, Rachel Pizzolato, Melody Kay, Sarah Nicklin, Damian Maffei, Sassan Saffari, Victoria Mirrer, Alexis Safoyan, Cary Hite, Jay Voishnis, Phil Duran, Alyssa Batsakis
Where To Watch: in select theaters January 31, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: ROUND THE DECAY aims to leave its mark in the horror genre by blending psychological elements with folk horror undertones. At first glance, its picturesque but secretive town setting seems like the perfect stage for uncovering buried truths and navigating emotional trauma. However, while the film delivers on some fronts, its execution stumbles, particularly in balancing suspense with spectacle.

The film follows a young woman who returns to Newport’s Valley after a life-altering tragedy, seeking closure and uncovering unsettling truths about her past and the town. This premise offers an engaging setup, but the story struggles to capitalize on its potential. While her journey into the unknown is captivating at times, the pacing feels uneven, lingering too long on build-up without fully paying off.

Directed by Adam Newman, ROUND THE DECAY shows a director confident in atmosphere and visual storytelling. Newman relies on slow-building tension and a creeping sense of dread. However, this deliberate pacing risks alienating viewers who prefer more dynamic storytelling. While the slow burn allows greater immersion into the setting, it doesn’t always reward the patience it demands.

The film's cast delivers a mix of performances. Victoria Mirrer portrays Kenzie Rhodes with enough nuance to convey her inner conflicts, walking the line between strength and vulnerability. Supporting roles from Damian Maffei, Sienna Hubert-Ross, and Melody Kay add depth and intrigue to the narrative, though some characters feel underutilized, leaving their arcs incomplete. This uneven focus on development limits the story's emotional potential, which might have elevated the film.

Special effects artist Greg McDougall, renowned for his work on highly regarded horror projects, brings the film's monster to life with meticulous attention to detail. While the creature's design is undeniably impressive, its frequent appearances throughout the film diminish its impact. In horror, what you don’t see is often scarier than what you do. The overexposure of the creature strips away the mystery, leaving viewers desensitized to its presence by the time the climax arrives. Horror classics often rely on suggestion, letting the imagination do the heavy lifting. As I like to say, “You don’t always have to see the scary.”

The film's sound design and score are strong technical elements that heighten tension. Every creak, whisper, and sudden noise pulls the audience deeper into the world. Similarly, the film’s color palette and careful use of shadows create a foreboding visual aesthetic.

One of the film’s themes—grappling with personal loss and unresolved trauma—adds emotional depth to the narrative. These moments hint at the potential for a more profound story, but the film never fully explores these ideas. Instead, it shifts its focus back to the external horror elements. This missed opportunity to delve deeper into Kenzie’s psychological state makes the film less impactful.

ROUND THE DECAY’s reliance on spectacle comes at the expense of suspense. When horror leans too heavily on showing its hand, it risks losing its audience’s fear. The unknown truly terrifies; the film removes much of the mystery that could have made it more unsettling. Newman’s dedication to practical effects and creating an atmospheric setting demonstrates an understanding of what makes horror work on a technical level. The performances, while uneven, contain moments of genuine emotion that anchor the story. For viewers who appreciate slow-building tension and traditional horror aesthetics, there’s enough here to enjoy, even if it doesn’t completely stick the landing.

As the credits roll, ROUND THE DECAY seems like a film with all the right ingredients but struggles to combine them effectively. It reminds us that sometimes, less is more—particularly in horror. By reducing its need to constantly show the monster and focusing more on its story's psychological and emotional aspects, ROUND THE DECAY could have delivered a more memorable and impactful experience.

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[photo courtesy of DREAMSCAPE PRODUCTIONS]

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