To say that there is a constant influx of horror movies in the industry would be an understatement. Horror is certainly king of the direct-to-DVD market and there are enough remakes to last us a lifetime. So it’s nice when, once in a while, a film comes along and surprises you, and The Invoking is certainly one of them.
What’s It About? The Invoking might sound like your standard ‘cabin in the woods’ type deal, a familiar story to any horror genre fan, but as it goes on, it manages to develop more into a thriller than your run-of-the-mill horror movie. Set in the rural area of Sader Ridge, we follow Samantha Harris (Trin Miller) as her life takes an unexpected turn as she inherits a house. Of course, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and things take a suspicious and tense turn where you’re left questioning what’s real and who to trust.
Verdict: Admittedly it’s clear that The Invoking doesn’t have the biggest budget nor the best talent involved, yet on a certain level it has an addictive and curious nature about it. There’s something that hooks you in and makes you want to see how things unfold, beyond the usual low budget fare that floods the genre. Miller is a decent enough lead, but the enjoyment comes from the camera work and the well built tension more than anything else. There’s a supernatural edge to the film which puts a twist on the human element, and it holds together right to a satisfying conclusion.
Extras: With commentaries and a decent ‘making of’ feature, The Invoking gets better insight than some of its bigger budget companions in the genre.
Final Words: Some may come away from The Invoking thinking calling it a ‘horror’ is pushing it a bit, but fear can come from many places. Yes, it doesn’t go for gore or many other things you would expect, but it does have a real underlying tension that will make your heart race at times. It’s a middling film that has its share of good and bad, but most fans will find something to enjoy about The Invoking, even if it’s not the most memorable of films.
The Invoking is available on DVD at Amazon on 12 May 2014 here http://amzn.to/1ih5Wi6
Worst film ever. What a waste of my life. I hope no one actually for paid for this. I should have been paid to watch this pile of crap.