Shadowed

I caught the East Coast premiere of "Shadowed" last week and my wife summed up the edge-of-your-seat suspense when she leaned over and whispered: "I'm so glad I'm not out in the forest with them!"

There's something primal about being lost in the woods when the sun goes down... a sinking feeling in the stomach and growing panic. Add the reason for being in the woods in the first place - 5 twenty-somethings mourning the loss of a murdered friend - and you've got the recipe for a looong night.

More than just a murder mystery around the campfire, Johnson blends convoluted relationships, unspoken grudges, creepy characters, and an ominous soundtrack to keep the pace moving and the audience guessing until the very end.

Well-selected actors and what must be one of the best soundtracks to hit the low-budget screen help drive this film's story. Instead of a standard chronological tale, well-placed flashbacks dish out what really happened the night of a woman's death. It is more than a mystery solved - the events surrounding the tragedy effect the people involved in a manner that will leave you saddened, sickened but also silently cheering. The movie will cause movie-goers minds to reel with "whys hows and I wonders," which will provide great conversation during after-movie cocktails.

This is the type of movie that I'd like to see more often in theaters. There is suspense, violence and evil, but it isn't graphic. The unsettling story is nicely contrasted with what starts out as a seemingly-innocent camping trip in the woods. The photography is gorgeous and the overall package is a great movie-night experience.

"Shadowed" is the story of a group of friends who take a backpacking trip together in the mountains outside Seattle shortly after one of their friends is found murdered. The friends are bonded by their grief for their lost friend, but they also harbor suspicions and resentments for each other, and in the woods those dark feelings get darker and the bonds of friendship begin to come loose. An excellent story, with great acting, a superb score, fine camera work, many memorable scenes, and cool city and forest locations. It's the first film of writer-director Joey Johnson, and yet it holds together extremely well. A great independent thriller.

Firstly, the people that have so far reviewed this movie and have given it a very high rating appear to only have this movie in their portfolio of reviews, so obviously they have some connection with the film production, which by the way, is amateurish to say the least. The acting is abysmal and the whole concept of the movie ill thought out and ridiculous. This farce of a movie appears to have been made by a group of talentless college students who for some mad reason managed to get themselves on a media course! Don't waste your time and find something other than this dull, lifeless effort of a film to watch.

Joe Johnson has taken a intriguing script and brought it to life. Compelling characters, plot twists, and stunning shots make this a fun film and an impressive accomplishment.

Not just a murder mystery, Shadowed has multiple layers and keeps you guessing until the end. Although the story weaves through time and locations, and the characters are complex, Johnson's directorial talents are on display and keep the story entertaining and the audience engaged. The cast does a fine job with complex personalities and a story that lesser talent might not capture and develop.

Beautifully shot in the Seattle area, the film shows great promise in a first time filmmaker and we all hope to see more from him in the future. Entertaining and well done. Amazing job on a tight budget.