Porcelain

Still catching up with 2024 horror films of this one came across my desk via Shudder streaming service. A young woman returns home after a long absence with her boyfriend only discover a home with a lot of secrets and a house full of old dolls. Remembering the past has never been so dangerous. Unfortunately, neither was this film which is not actually a slow burn, but a dull burn as the characters are uninteresting as is the story itself. It's not particularly a well directed film either and therefore there are very few audience members (in my opinion) that will find much in the film to enjoy.

Porcelain (2024) is a film I recently watched on Shudder. The storyline follows a young woman who learns of her father's passing and visits his home in hopes of understanding him better. As she explores his belongings, she uncovers the reasons behind their estrangement and dark secrets about her family's past.

This film is directed by and stars Nicole Cinaglia in her directorial debut and features Hunter Johnson (The Black Mass), Joe Raffa (Film Fest), Angel Anthony Marrero (Garlic and Gunpowder), and Ellen Boscov (Saturday Night).

I decided to watch this because it was new on Shudder, but it's a low-budget film, and unfortunately, it feels that way. The writing, acting, and dialogue fall short, making it difficult to stay engaged. The horror elements are inconsistent; the spirit has potential in a few scenes but appears too briefly, making those moments feel rushed and incomplete. There are setups with promise, but abrupt cutaways disrupt the flow and prevent any real suspense or intensity from building. The practical effects are underwhelming, and once you see them, the tension dissipates entirely.

In conclusion, Porcelain lacks any notable redeeming qualities. I recommend skipping it. I'd score this a 2/10.

I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this movie fails on quite a few levels. The story, acting, dialogue, effects and pretty much everything else is quite disappointing. The project has a low budget look, but also a low budget feel. The emotional aspect falls flat, making it hard to have any kind of connection to the characters. I understand that the writer, female lead, and director are the same person. But, maybe someone tried wearing a few too many hats. Unfortunately, the result was a miss.

I do have to give credit where it's due. This person took a chance, and gave her time, creativity, and passion to try and give us a bit of herself. That's worth noting, and I hope her next outing goes more smoothly.