Troubled Sarah Hope (a fine performance by Lily Rabe) is the sole survivor of a mass suicide committed by a religious cult headed by the crazed, but charismatic Jim Jacobs (an amazing and electrifying live-wire portrayal by Thomas Jane, who channels the spirit of both Jim Jones and Jim Morrison). Sarah is convinced by a team of documentary filmmakers to return to the place where the tragedy occurred back in the mid-1980's only to discover that those terrible past events aren't exactly over yet.
Director Phil Joanou relates the absorbing story at a constant pace, makes the most out of the spooky fog-shrouded forest main location, and ably crafts an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. Robert Ben Grant's grim script puts a novel and inspired supernatural twist on the religious cult premise as well as remains fiercely true to itself to the literal bitter end. While Rabe and especially Jane cop the top acting honors, Jessica Alba contributes a solid turn as eager and obsessive reporter Maggie Price, Aleksa Palladino impresses as loyal follower Karen Sweetzer, and Shannon Woodward registers well as the sassy and sensible Jill. Steeven Petitteville's bleached-out widescreen cinematography provides an appropriately gloomy and grayish look. Nathan Whitehead's shivery score hits the shuddery spot. A worthwhile horror film.
Director Phil Joanou relates the absorbing story at a constant pace, makes the most out of the spooky fog-shrouded forest main location, and ably crafts an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. Robert Ben Grant's grim script puts a novel and inspired supernatural twist on the religious cult premise as well as remains fiercely true to itself to the literal bitter end. While Rabe and especially Jane cop the top acting honors, Jessica Alba contributes a solid turn as eager and obsessive reporter Maggie Price, Aleksa Palladino impresses as loyal follower Karen Sweetzer, and Shannon Woodward registers well as the sassy and sensible Jill. Steeven Petitteville's bleached-out widescreen cinematography provides an appropriately gloomy and grayish look. Nathan Whitehead's shivery score hits the shuddery spot. A worthwhile horror film.