Jackals

There is a saying in Sweden that goes something like this:- Don´t expect to get inside the house, if you wear any pants. What does this mean ? Well, in Sweden we like to be polite, and don´t always need to be dressed. You could say that we have " nature view " on dress codes. So if you happen to be dancing down the lovely fields of Dalarna, don´t be surprised if a nude couple invite you for coffee. Dalmasar are known for their friendly hospitality, and their good taste of falukorv.

You would think, that if house people are this friendly, then people would love to go more often to the countryside. Well, not exactly, and i think one particular film may show us why. The horror film You´re Next, showed us what could happen, if you end up in the wrong house in the countryside. A horror film that actually was much better, than i expected. The film had some disturbing surprises, and the cool lead actor Sharni Winson, as the bad ass Erin, was exactly what this film needed. Director Adam Wingard ( who also directed the underrated film The Guest ) proved that you can actually make an intelligent horror film, on a limited budget. Unfortunately, You´re Next was not seen by a larger audience in cinemas, so the film got a bigger chance to be recognized on dvd and blu ray. Horror films that takes place in the countryside can either be a good combination, or a terrible one. I think one of the most effective horror films, that takes place in the countryside, is the British horror film Eden Lake. This is a must see film, where actors Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender really delivered solid acting performances, in a very psychological film, with some very sweaty situations. I suggest you pick up the UK blu ray release, and listen in to some nice special features as well. Religious cult horror films is also a genre that i have always appreciated. Perhaps one of the classics, has to be Wes Craven´s classic 80´s film The Serpent And The Rainbow. I also enjoy the 80´s classic The Believers with legendary actor Martin Sheen, a film that does not get mentioned very often. So what if you combine a religious cult theme, with the style of You´re Next, and mix it all together ? That is what you get in the new horror film Jackals, released through Scream Factory. I got a chance to watch the film on dvd, right before Halloween weekend arrives. Is this a film that should be watched this Halloween with the family, or should you avoid this one at all cost ?

Kathy Powell ( Deborah Kara Unger ) and Andrew Powell ( Johnathon Schaech ) have hired cult deprogrammer Jimmy Levine ( Stephen Dorff ), to help them get their son Justin Powell ( Ben Sullivan ) back into their ordinary day life. Justin is kidnapped and brought to his parents house. Justin´s girlfriend Samantha ( Chelsea Rickets ) is also there to try and help Justin back into family life, especially since they have a child together. Justin refuse any help. Instead, he warns the family, that unless he is released, unexpected consequences may appear. The religious cult have located where Justin is, and they will do anything to get him back.

One of the things i really appreciate with Jackals, is that this is a film, based on a really disturbing religious cult. That helps the theme of the film feel more interesting. You can clearly see that there are similar ideas from You´re Next thrown in here ( without copying the film scenes ), but that´s ok. The stories are completely different, so that is a good sign. Once the cult members begin to attack the house, we do get to have some fun. One of the strongest characters in Jackals, is without a doubt actor Ben Sullivan ( perhaps known most for his work on tv series The 100 ). He is the most effective character in this film, as the kidnapped cult member Justin. Once he get to start to show his angry personality, with no empathy at all, you can tell he have tried to make his character feel like a monster. I also enjoy the performance of Alyssa Julya Smith as the cult member Fox Girl. She does not speak, but her body language, and brutality, works really well with her character. Unfortunately, we do not get to see her that often, that is a shame. Legendary actor Deborah Kara Unger is also here. Maybe not her strongest performance, but i still think she does ok. Director Kevin Greutert have directed 2 of the Saw films in the past, and have worked as an editor on the earlier Saw films as well. He knows how to capture the sense of brutality on camera, and he also knows how to portrait disturbing human behavior. In the best scenes, i would say that Jackals is a horror film that manage to deliver popcorn entertainment. This is in no way an original film, but that´s ok. What Jackals tries to do instead, is to bring back some of the old school horror from the early 80´s. Are there any flaws with this film ? Yes, there is. Especially that we never get to find out more information about the religious cult. What do they believe in ? Why do they wear their special outfits ? The only thing we know is that they are out there to bring back their beloved cult member. I also feel that legendary B movie actor Stephen Dorff is in this film, far too little. His character Jimmy, who hunts down cult members, could have so much more to offer in a film like this. Jackals may not be nowhere as good as You´re Next is, but i still feel that i enjoy this film, since it is well made from a cinematography, and technical perspective. There is especially one scene you can´t miss, when Fox Girl does a dance to a sliced throat, a tasteful treat indeed. Jackals may not bring anything new to the table, but if you appreciate religious cult horror films, then i suggest you give this one a chance. Now excuse me, i better pick up the axe, looks like Jehova´s Witnesses are dancing around the front porch again. Those bastards never listen, maybe my axe might change their mind ?

Rating: DDD