By Melissa Antoinette Garza
The best part of writing horror reviews is when a low-budget gem is found. Any true fan of the genre would agree that the amount of money spent on the production matters far less than the plot, characters and pace. If the story is solid, the characters have depth and the movie has little filler, it can outshine some of Hollywood’s big budget offerings.
The 28th Day: The Wrath of Steph opens with Steph (Jodie Grundin) awakening in a forest with a bloody bandage on her cheek. Her boyfriend Tom leaves her for dead.
She hitchhikes home and finds Tom grieving. It is here that we learn the duo was battling some sort of evil presence when Steph was knocked to the ground. Though Steph is initially upset with her boyfriend for not checking for a pulse and just taking off, she quickly forgives and they make love.
Steph realizes something is wrong as Tom is satisfying her orally. She realizes that somehow she crushed his skull though knowing she isn’t physically strong enough to do so.
Things get even stranger as the news reports of 4 vicious murders within the community. Steph begins to have strange nightmares that both confuse and frighten her.
Soon, she realizes that she is possessed by Evil Lord Zasulground (Jeff Trenkle). Lord Zasulground possesses women who are on their period, hence the title “The 28th day.” Oddly, it is not Steph’s time of the month which prompts her to question why she was chosen.
Steph enlists the help of her best friend Liz (Kate Nichols) who had just been attacked by the spirit. Thankfully, she found an amulet that aided her in getting away. When Steph explains her possession she shows her the new powers that she has been given. Much like in Carrie (1976), Steph now has telekentic powers.
The two women decide to ask for the help of a Paranormal Psychiatrist. They speak to Dr. Irving Woogie (Rollin Blanton) jumps at the chance to help and hooks Steph up to a machine to measure how possessed she is. She measures high for telekinetic powers which impresses the doc.
First, I give kudos to the writer and director Zack Scott and co-writers Eli Scott and Brian Wright. The story is original and the characters are unique. The women are depicted as strong, intelligent and are the core of the film. This is not the standard damsel-in-distress possession film. Liz and Steph are both fighters who are willing to risk their lives to get rid of the evil entity. Though they are aided by Dr. Woogie, the women are most definitely the focus of the film which is refreshing. So often, women are depicted in one of two ways in horror. They are either the stereotypical gals that can’t do anything for themselves and run in the arms of their boyfriend when a loud noise is heard. The other is just as sexist. It’s the exact opposite forcing women to act like super heroes and do things that no human being would do. The best example is Jessica Biel’s idiotic character in the atrocious abomination that was 2003 remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre where she turns around to attack Leatherface once she has escaped. Instead here we have the happy medium. We have a united front because these women are best friends. When Steph has a normal terrified reaction after being taken over by the spirit and hearing him repeat “bitches,” she’s ready to give up. Liz jumps in and tells her that isn’t going to happen because they can defeat the spirit because they are “super bitches.” It’s an awesome little scene because first we have this male evil entity using the term in such a derogatory way and then immediately after Liz basically reclaims the word in such a positive manner turning it into a way to define female strength. I absolutely adore that scene.
As I have an amazing best friend, Meghan Winkler, I can definitely relate. If either of us were in that position, that’s exactly how we would react. We’d be in it together until the end.
The one major flaw of the movie is that it seems to start in the middle as so much has occurred prior to the opening scene. Though, Steph does offer a descriptive exposition that somewhat explains the background it would have been been beneficial for the viewers to see at least some of the insanity that had ensued. Now, this definitely may have been intended but due to budget restraints it was not completed; or a prequel may be planned. I’d be all for that as I’d love to see how all of it started.
The only other issue is the actual demon as when revealed he really just looks like a regular man. It would have been cooler and more frightening if his face was blacked out and he was dressed like the grim reaper or something of that sort. Even a skeleton in a robe would have been better.
Despite those small flaws, I have to say I was floored by the overall film. The acting was fantastic. The editing was flawless. The lighting and way in which the movie was shot impressed me as I know the difficulties involved in a project with a restrained budget. The camera used must have been one of very high quality as the picture is extremely clear and crisp. Most importantly, the writing was witty, fresh and believable. Each character was distinctly different from one another and had their own personality and their own voice. They were both written and acted in that manner which made the movie enjoyable and ensured the audience was rooting for the characters.
Zack Scott seems like an experienced pro behind the camera. Generally when watching a low-budget movie there are technical problems that I look past as I understand that the individuals making the movie are new or fairly inexperienced. Here, there was nothing to look past.
The back of the DVD cover states that the movie was made “in the vein of “Evil Dead 2”… It is absolutely apparent that Scott appreciates Sam Raimi’s trilogy. There are shots throughout the film where the camera moves quickly through the woods that was most definitely paying homage to the series. When Steph becomes fully possessed after suffering from stigmata, the demon that emerges is reminiscent of the original Evil Dead as well.
The conclusion is interesting and is a perfect fit with the tone of the movie. I most definitely recommend the movie. It’s so great to see a production such as this returning to the roots of horror. So often we get the same old paranormal or alien found footage movies or the torture porn low-budget ripoffs of movies like Hostel (2005) and Saw (2004).
Scott took a chance and rather than going with the current trend made something that was both original and old school. This movie has what so many big-budget horror movies don’t – heart.
I recently saw and reviewed the newly released horror movie You’re Next (2011) which was atrocious. It would be so nice to see the filmmakers of today take note of individuals like Zack Scott who understands horror.
I would definitely suggest this film and I certainly am looking forward to any of his future work as he very well may be the next James Wan.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8/10
Really? Did you get paid for this review? Thus film is damn near unwatchable!!
Hi,
Thanks for the comment.
I never get paid for any of my reviews nor would I allow someone to pay me off. I have integrity and take reviewing films especially those from up-and-comers very seriously. Whereas the movie may not be for everyone, especially those who dislike the micro to low-budget horror genre, I really enjoyed it.
There are times, I’m asked to review a movie that I find dreadful and as hard as it is, I’m honest. It’s extremely difficult when someone asks me to review their film and I don’t like it, but as difficult as it is – I tell it like it is. I outline exactly what I dislike – and if you look at other reviews I’ve done, you’ll see I do that quite frequently. I always offer – even if I dislike the movie – to put up press releases for the filmmakers, but I never get paid nor would I take money for something like reviewing a movie – it’s a conflict of interest and would negate everything I work so hard for.