By Melissa Garza
The film opens as our lead, Mary Ann (Emily Stride) haunted by nightmares, returns to the home she lived in as a child. Her father has died and though her troubled youth is long gone, it still lives clearly in her mind.
Repressed memories begin to surface. She recalls her father reading her Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Her memories force her to confront her mother who though once was a bible belter has now seemingly succumbed to elements of the occult.
The movie follows Mary Ann as she goes through an Alice in Wonderland style adventure which brings her into a past that her body wanted her to forget.
The disturbing imagery utilized within the production is genius. It’s unsettling and strange all the while perfectly tells the story. Throughout the horror adventure, different elements of the fairytale are utilized all the while capturing an originality that is rarely seen.
It seems like this is the perfect time for Red Kingdom Rising. Television shows like Grimm and Once Upon a Time which utilize fairytale characters and storylines in a different approach are common place. Not to mention, the recent big-budget Snow White movies, Snow White and the Huntsman and Mirror Mirror which both put a new twist on the old classic, are welcomed by viewers who thrive for something old mixed with something new. Such is the case with this movie. It has the ability to please horror and fantasy fans along with those just looking for something different.
The movie was excellently cast. As Emily Stride is the main focus throughout, her acting ability could make or break the production. Thankfully, she fully understood the character and displayed both the youthful vulnerability and the fierce woman that both battled within her.
This is definitely one low-budget film that earns recognition as something much more. It is simply a great movie with a fantastic plot and terrific acting. I cannot recommend this one enough.
Scared Stiff Review 8/10
