Director: Nicholas McCarthy
Starring: Caity Lotz, Agnes Bruckner, Casper Van Dien, Mark Steger, Haley Hudson
Running time: 89 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Synopsis: Following the death of her mother, a woman struggling to deal with her past reluctantly returns to her childhood home, only to discover an unsettling supernatural presence…
THE PACT is the second horror film in quick succession I’ve seen that models itself on something all too familiar, before ultimately turning into something else entirely (the first being Pascal Laugier’s THE TALL MAN which you can read our review of HERE). This, by the way, is a great thing, especially if like me, you’re sick and tired of dire genre offerings from the cliched PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise and such the like. Yes, THE PACT has a twist, much like other recent horrors that have attempted to play a trump card in hopes of being touted as a pioneer, and storm the box-office. Unlike many of these cheap (and let’s be honest, tepid thrillers), THE PACT’s change of direction raises the film way above the similar ventures, without really setting a new formula.
Again, the opening set-up is rather mundane: a young mother (Agnes Bruckner) vanishes one night when reluctantly returning to her childhood home. Having been brought up there, along with her sister, in horrific (but relatively unknown) circumstances, she’s there to arrange the funeral for her recently deceased mother. Sister Annie (Caity Lotz) soon comes looking for her sibling, but finds a sinister ‘presence’ has taken over part of the house, leading her on an eerie journey to solve the mystery and uncover something even more nightmarish. The plot does bear a striking resemblance to the classic George C. Scott scare-story THE CHANGELING (1980), but McCarthy and his decent cast have the balls to make this a modern and refreshing take. THE PACT could so easily have descended into yawn-some territory as many other supernatural tales usually do, so it’s to McCarthy and Co’s credit they make the finale believable. There is enough substance to the story, that despite all the customary traits (ouji board, candles, psychic, jump-scares, poltergeist), it’s fundamentally an unnerving and accomplished thrill ride.
By no means am I marking McCarthy’s film as a masterpiece; there are a number of problems with plot overall. However, McCarthy has surprisingly achieved a great deal with what little he has at his disposal, particularly in a sub-genre that is now bordering on self-parody. Also, Caity Lotz does a great job as the lead Annie, and pretty much carries the film on her shoulders after the initial set up. She brings enough conviction and sympathy to a character who has been damaged during her tormented childhood (and damaged even further by the conclusion). The supporting characters, however (which include former STARSHIP TROOPER Casper Van Dien) give good performances but are sidelined for majority of the film. This isn’t necessarily a problem as we’re eager to understand more about Annie and the revelations to come.
I brushed THE PACT off as another generic rip-off when the film hit cinemas earlier in the year, choosing to leave it alone for others to waste their money on. I’m surprised to admit it deserves better than to be tagged along with other similar-themed (and frankly appalling) thrillers.
THE PACT is released on DVD and Blu-ray on the 1st October.
