Know Fear

4.26.21 just finished this movie...no action...no ghosts...bad acting...no excitement...will never watch twice or recommend anyone, not even my cat, to watch this boring so called horror. More of a drama..

Ugh just some ramble, no background information and some random things. It does not make sense at all.

Camera is overworked and actors reaction does not reflect on the scene and dialogs. Like some 80's horror movie ones. The props are almost made by children.

Also the actions same low quality and the lighting.

Sound quality sometimes does not is pure enough some.

The only points are the quality of the screen.

"Know Fear," the 2021 horror film directed by Jamison M. LoCascio, offered a fresh, albeit imperfect, take on the well-trodden grounds of demonic possession and haunted house tropes. Instead of relying solely on jump scares or graphic gore, the film aimed for a more psychological approach, centering its premise around a family's unique and individual ways of encountering a malevolent entity. This concept was its most intriguing strength, attempting to elevate it beyond standard fare.

The premise itself is compelling: after his wife, Wendy (Amy Carlson), becomes possessed by a demon, Donald Capel (David Alan Basche) and his family stumble upon an ancient occult book. This book contains a ritual that, once activated, forces each family member to interact with the demon in a distinct sensory manner. One person can see it, another can hear it, and a third can speak to it. This ingenious setup immediately creates a palpable sense of dread and isolation within the family, as they are collectively tormented but individually experiencing the horror in vastly different ways. It's a clever way to build tension, as communication and trust become paramount, yet are constantly undermined by the unseen, unheard, or unspoken terror.

The film successfully leverages this concept to create moments of genuine unease. The audience is privy to the confusion and fear of each character, experiencing the demon through their limited perceptions. For instance, the character who can only hear the demon might be subjected to disembodied whispers and guttural growls, while the one who can see it might witness terrifying apparitions that others cannot. This fragmented perspective can be disorienting in a good way, mirroring the characters' own disorientation and vulnerability. It forces the viewer to piece together the full horror alongside the family, rather than being spoon-fed every scare.

However, "Know Fear" isn't without its weaknesses. While the central premise is strong, the execution sometimes falters. The pacing can feel a bit uneven, with moments of slow burn that occasionally tip into sluggishness. The narrative, while attempting to be intricate, can also become a bit convoluted, especially in its explanation of the ritual and the demon's motivations. Some viewers might find the character development to be somewhat thin, making it harder to fully invest in their plights beyond the immediate horror they face. The acting, while generally competent, doesn't always manage to fully convey the depth of terror that the unique premise could allow for.

Despite these shortcomings, "Know Fear" deserves credit for trying something different within the often formulaic horror genre. It attempts to explore the psychological toll of a demonic encounter, focusing on the breakdown of communication and the erosion of sanity under supernatural duress. It's a film that asks the audience to engage with its premise, rather than passively consume a series of scares. For horror fans looking for a film that prioritizes dread and a unique concept over conventional frights, "Know Fear" offers a thought-provoking, if not entirely polished, experience. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying thing isn't what you see, but what you know - or rather, what you don't fully comprehend - about the fear that surrounds you.

This flick had some good n scary moments that seemed to only lack for some cash to throw at them. Great tension build and holding but there was rarely a pay-off that could live up to that build-up. The writing and acting, too, built something good n scary. This scary story is about a possession by the house demon. The new inhabitants of the haunted house find a leather clad spell-book. Drop a little blood on that sucker and sit back, relax, and enjoy the fireworks.

If you've ever wondered what weird or even terrifying things the previous owners of a house might have gotten up to, this might be right up your alley.

I enjoyed the fast, plot-based storyline. All of the characters were given just enough time to introduce themselves to the audience before mysterious things began happening. The quick pace also helped to explain why the characters remained in a house that was possessed by such a dangerous entity. They simply didn't have the time to consider other options, especially once things really began to escalate.

One of the many reasons why I chose a perfect rating for this film had to do with how it handled the demon. It left no room for doubt about just how malicious this creature was or how much peril all of the characters were in while it still remained in our world. There were a few scenes I had to watch out of the corner of my eye because of how much they made me shudder. That's exactly what I love to see in the horror genre, and I only wish I could go into much more detail about it without giving away spoilers!

The ending couldn't have been better. Not only did it tie all of the loose strings left over from earlier scenes together nicely, it made me go back to some earlier scenes and think carefully about how they were shared with the audience. Yes, many of the twists and turns were tropes that most fans of this genre would expect to see, but they were combined in ways that made them feel fresh again. It takes a lot of hard work to pull something like that off, and I tip my cap to the cast and crew for doing so well with it.

For readers who are sensitive to blood or gore, there were a few scenes that included both of them. I liked the fact that most of the focus was placed on the demon itself, but the storyline did need those elements to thrive.

Know Fear was deliciously scary.