Summoning Sylvia

I had never heard about this 2023 horror comedy titled "Summoning Sylvia" prior to sitting down to watch it. So I didn't know what I was in for, aside from what I read in the synopsis, and for it being a horror comedy. But of course I opted to give the movie a fair chance.

And as it turned out, then writers and directors Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse put together a surprisingly enjoyable and entertaining script and storyline. The narrative in "Summoning Sylvia" was really well-written, and the two writers managed to juggle elements of traditional, classic horror with elements of good comedy. And the movie turned out to be quite a surprise. I have to admit that I was genuinely entertained throughout the 74 minutes that the movie ran for.

The laughs throughout the narrative are plenty and good. I was genuinely amused by the comedy in "Summoning Sylvia", so thumbs up to writers and directors Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse for that accomplishment.

And I really enjoyed the way that the narrative unfolds, keeping the audience in the dark and speculating as to what is really happening. The movie has some rather great and unforeseen twists to the storyline, which certainly helped to make it all the more enjoyable.

The character gallery in the movie was good as well, because the characters were nicely fleshed out, with different traits and personalities. And I have to say that the writers really aced it here, because the characters were very likable.

I was only familiar with actor Michael Urie on the cast list. But I will say that they had a great group of actors and actresses for the roles. The movie was really nicely carried by Travis Coles, Frankie Grande, Troy Iwata, Noah J. Ricketts and Nicholas Logan.

There was a good atmosphere throughout the course of the movie, which implemented both traditional horror and the comedy nicely into it. And the effects in the movie were fair enough, despite it not being a movie that was heavily dependent on special effects.

If you enjoy horror comedies, then "Summoning Sylvia" is certainly a movie that I warmly recommend. I was genuinely and wholeheartedly entertained throughout the entire movie.

My rating of "Summoning Sylvia" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

Summoning Sylvia is almost a really good movie... but it's just not quite enough comedy/horror to push it over the top.

There are some genuine laugh out loud moments throughout the film and overall, it certainly works well as a decent comedy. The "horror" aspects however are basically non-existant.

It really felt like the film would have been boosted even more if there was a little (or maybe even a lot) of extra emphasis on the supernatural threat. The characters never feel like they're in any jeopardy at all.

The cast was overall really great imo as well.

It's too bad, but it seems destined to become a film you'll see and forget about, instead of joining the list of great horror comedies.

A silly little thing that all rightwing conservatives should view! Lol. I really thought this would be terrible, and it ain't art, but it was kind of fun in a nonsensical way with teachings about the rights and wrongs on how to deal with gay people, though in this case they are less gay and more like the queens of yesteryear. It is also, incredibly, eventually about acceptance all in 74 minutes! This is a film in which Michael Urie is ultimately the most masculine of the bunch and for those who know who he is, this will come as a surprise. Simple tale of four very gay guys renting a haunted cabin and having an unexpected straight man join the party. Some laughs, but mostly just silly.

I had written a whole different review and had to delete it. I watched this movie and it was a tad slow at one part and I fast forward. Then I watched again. I had rented it and had two days so I gave it a second watch and I have to say this. Hysterical.

The sets, the acting, all better than I expected. I like that they brought the gay community mainstream, I like the commentary and its usage.

This is not a horror movie, unless your gay and then your just showing the truth of your existence and how scary it can be.

Obviously it does get a little slow at one point and seem kind of pointless but KEEP WATCHING! It does pick up! I just wish they would have been more clear that it was JUST comedy.

Summoning Sylvia is a perfectly fine campy film of a gay supernatural story. It has all the elements that are needed: haunted house, spooky backstory, believers, and enough confusion that no one really understands what is happening.

Then, the mistakes start. The shrill stereotypes that are indicative of "gay culture" dominate the film. And they are so strong that even the "straight" character has to become the epitome of a ignorant homophobe with all the inkling of being a violent repressed soul. Ho Hum.

I want representation and love the ideas of what this film is trying to do. I'm frustrated that representation of gay has to be a certain way: shrill, effeminate, queeny, and all leading to a drag performance.

Do they know that there is a full range of gay men out there? Is Adam Pauley on Happy Endings one of the few images of a gay man I can somewhat relate to because he's just a guy who likes men?