By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Oscar (Denny Kirkwood) and Vincent (Bryan Kirkwood) are twin brothers who share a horrifying past. When they were 10 years old, Oscar discovered that his mother and stepfather were trying to kill him and Vincent for Life Insurance money. After his parents put several plans into motion that fail, Oscar decides to act fast. He knows he has to protect himself and his twin by doing the unimaginable. He makes a surprise breakfast for his parents, but adds a special ingredient. He puts rat poison on top of the waffles claiming that it’s powdered sugar. The parents fall for the bait, eat it and die.
Oscar spends the next twenty-five years in prison anxiously waiting to reconnect with Vincent. He writes letters and does what he can to keep in touch. During the time away from his brother, Vincent has become quite a success. He is the most beloved and popular science teacher at Liberty High School. His star student, Katie Anderson (Yvonne Zima) has a crush on him. Rather than ignoring her feelings, she puts the moves on him. Not that he’s innocent. One night, when he brings her home from a school event, he tells her that she’s beautiful. Later, when she’s making love to her jock boyfriend, she imagines that it’s Vincent. When Katie and her boyfriend breakup, she runs off with Vincent to his family cabin.
Meanwhile, Oscar is watching over him ensuring that no one finds out about his brother’s tryst. Anyone connected that could ruin his brother’s career disappears. Slowly, Vincent’s class diminishes to nearly no one. Even other teachers can’t escape Oscar’s wrath.
Despite his aggressive appearance and insanity, Oscar is a very sympathetic character. He’s hardened from prison and driven by loyalty. It’s easy to understand why he is so protective over his brother despite the fact that Vincent was clearly in the wrong.
Vincent on the other hand is a dirt-bag. He’s suave, cavalier and enjoys the attention he gets from Katie. He never even tries to nip it in the bud.
Though, the acting from the supporting cast varies from horrible to great, the main actors do quite well. The story is interesting, original and relevant. Everything is played realistically without a hint of irony or sarcasm. From the synopsis, I expected something like a low budget To Die For (1995). Instead, it played out like a bizarre Lifetime Movie crossed with Skinamax feature. It isn’t that there was a ton of sex in it, but everyone just looked like a soft core porn actor. In all, it wasn’t bad but it could have been much better.
It was slow in some areas and over-dramatic in others. There was no atmosphere or sense of urgency created with Oscar. Even when he’s killing those that he perceives as messing with his brother, there isn’t a fear factor that brings the audience in. Even in the beginning where the parents are trying to murder the children, it isn’t as disturbing as it should be. The thought of a child being killed for insurance money is disgusting and disturbing, but it wasn’t played that way. It was a very soft and downplayed event. Especially, when this was the catalyst for all that occurred afterwards, the focus on it should have been stronger.
That said, I would still say it’s worth the watch. I think women would enjoy it more than men. I feel like it’s a chick flick that attempts to be scary but just doesn’t know how.
Overall, it’s an ok film with a great premise but poor execution.
Scared Stiff Rating: 4.5/10
