151 commentaires
The horror gendre has been one of my favorites for my entire life, yet the production of good movies in said gendre has been lacking, to put it mildly, in recent memory.
The horror movies that are effective, for myself at least, are those which don't rely on jump scares and actually endeavour to creep you out, thereby instilling a lasting emotion when thinking about the film.
Anything for Jackson, although not outstanding per se, does a fairly decent job of being creepy.
The acting is fairly good, and though I admit I do have a soft spot for Julian Richings who plays Dr. Henry Walsh, the entire cast does a competent job. The writing was up to snuff as well, taking a very basic premise and fleshing it out, and the make up and effects department did a great job.
I would recommend Anything for Jackson for a decent 90 minute watch.
The horror movies that are effective, for myself at least, are those which don't rely on jump scares and actually endeavour to creep you out, thereby instilling a lasting emotion when thinking about the film.
Anything for Jackson, although not outstanding per se, does a fairly decent job of being creepy.
The acting is fairly good, and though I admit I do have a soft spot for Julian Richings who plays Dr. Henry Walsh, the entire cast does a competent job. The writing was up to snuff as well, taking a very basic premise and fleshing it out, and the make up and effects department did a great job.
I would recommend Anything for Jackson for a decent 90 minute watch.
- Athanatos173
- 6 déc. 2020
- Permalien
This is a nifty original horror flick that will keep your interest. It's really good.
Not complicated. Just really good performances and direction. SCript too.
Don't miss it.
With all the derivitive garbage out there, this was one refreshing movie.
Not complicated. Just really good performances and direction. SCript too.
Don't miss it.
With all the derivitive garbage out there, this was one refreshing movie.
This slow-burning horror, following a kind but determined satanist couple and their self-defeating desire to bring back their deceased grandson, is the kind of film that begs a second viewing. I didn't appreciate it the first time I saw it, but the second time around, the strong acting skills, special effects and underlying tragedy of the story won me over. Anything For Jackson somehow evokes an outpour of empathy for this couple of kidnappers, as it becomes more apparent the gravity of the losses they faced, and the lengths they went to in order to overcome them. Fans of Supernatural, Roxy Hunter and Hard Core Logo will instantly recognize Julian Richings as Henry, and Sheila McCarthy works very well with him in the role of satanist grandmother Audrey. Up-and-coming actor Josh Cruddas is memorable as the narcissistic satanist bum, Ian, a childish but obsessively devoted helper to the protagonists, and Yannick Bisson and Lanette Ware compliment every scene they're in. As a dark comedy and occult horror, Anything For Jackson works strangely well. While not perfect, and at times campy, it's a well-made and quite unforgettable story worth checking out.
- SusieSalmonLikeTheFish
- 31 mai 2021
- Permalien
Starts off really well and has some really quite disturbing, inventive and shocking moments with good performances from all involved.
Unfortunately it cannot sustain the level of suspense and horror and the ending sadly just wastes the entirety of what came before with a disappointing denouement but still an above average 6 hatchets out of 10 from me on this one!
Unfortunately it cannot sustain the level of suspense and horror and the ending sadly just wastes the entirety of what came before with a disappointing denouement but still an above average 6 hatchets out of 10 from me on this one!
- rhcplolla2012
- 6 déc. 2020
- Permalien
Low budget, not all bad, actually interesting horror movie with silly ending. Movie makers should realy stop trying to be smart at the end of movies. Just make the damn ending. Really. Just do it
- leonidasoriginal
- 24 déc. 2020
- Permalien
A fresh spin on a classic concept, Anything for Jackson follows an elderly couple who kidnap a pregnant woman with the sole intention of putting their deceased grandson's spirit into her unborn child. A wicked yet amusing premise, the film manages to get some mileage out of its reverse exorcism idea only to drop the ball in the final act to finish on an underwhelming note.
Directed by Justin G. Dyck, the film is a major step-up & a massive departure for its director when compared to his family-friendly filmography. Crafted with care & handled with finesse, the story is gripping from the get-go, brims with a disquieting chill, and packs some effective scares, thanks to the foreboding ambience & ghostly interventions that occur throughout its runtime.
What inherits the picture its uncanny strength however is the excellent performances from its leading duo. Sheila McCarthy & Julian Richings are fantastic in their Satan-worshipping roles and even add a parental touch to their otherwise despicable characters. The supporting cast fail to match the brilliance of the leads and are serviceable at best. As for the finale, it fails to deliver the desired goods.
Overall, Anything for Jackson is a fun & fiendish delight that manages to be both hilarious & thrilling and makes for a polished piece of work for a film shot on a low-budget. Certainly an impressive entry in a directorial career that's jam-packed with feel-good Christmas specials, this supernatural horror about loss, grief, remorse & satanism has its merits and will surprise many with its refreshing take on the subgenre.
Directed by Justin G. Dyck, the film is a major step-up & a massive departure for its director when compared to his family-friendly filmography. Crafted with care & handled with finesse, the story is gripping from the get-go, brims with a disquieting chill, and packs some effective scares, thanks to the foreboding ambience & ghostly interventions that occur throughout its runtime.
What inherits the picture its uncanny strength however is the excellent performances from its leading duo. Sheila McCarthy & Julian Richings are fantastic in their Satan-worshipping roles and even add a parental touch to their otherwise despicable characters. The supporting cast fail to match the brilliance of the leads and are serviceable at best. As for the finale, it fails to deliver the desired goods.
Overall, Anything for Jackson is a fun & fiendish delight that manages to be both hilarious & thrilling and makes for a polished piece of work for a film shot on a low-budget. Certainly an impressive entry in a directorial career that's jam-packed with feel-good Christmas specials, this supernatural horror about loss, grief, remorse & satanism has its merits and will surprise many with its refreshing take on the subgenre.
- CinemaClown
- 2 août 2021
- Permalien
- mathieu_felten
- 31 juil. 2022
- Permalien
Considering the low quality of a lot of horror output recently I wasn't expecting much from this movie. But what a surprise.
The story is well written and tight, nicely paced, and with plenty of intrigue so you never really know where it is going.
The characters are superbly portrayed by the entire cast.
If you want to see a good horror movie that doesn't involve teens screaming in some remote location - this is a movie to watch.
The story is well written and tight, nicely paced, and with plenty of intrigue so you never really know where it is going.
The characters are superbly portrayed by the entire cast.
If you want to see a good horror movie that doesn't involve teens screaming in some remote location - this is a movie to watch.
'Anything For Jackson (2020)' follows a bereaved couple who kidnap a heavily pregnant woman in order to perform a 'reverse exorcism' and put the spirit of their dead grandson into the body of her unborn child. It's a killer premise and the set-up is handled impeccably. That's primarily because the two perpetrators of this heinous act are actually the picture's protagonists. They're Satanists who are willing to make a selfish deal with the devil no matter the cost, but they aren't portrayed as callous and cackling villains. They're presented as quite the opposite, actually; they seem like your average, neighbourly old couple. Their understandable motivations help to keep you engaged with the plot, especially since their actions are always what drive it, and their relatively agreeable nature makes the movie much more distinct than it otherwise may have been. The kidnapped woman isn't given quite as much attention as her captors, but she is developed just enough that you come to truly care for her by the flick's end. No matter how sympathetically the central couple are presented, you're always on the pregnant lady's side because of the inherently unjust nature of her treatment; just because someone's nice doesn't mean they aren't doing a bad thing. The picture is well made throughout, with crisp cinematography, believable performances and some really effective scare sequences. Though the middle act is slightly more generic than the first, it's here that the movie's frights really come into the fray. There's some horrific stuff here and it's all really well done. It isn't terrifying, but it's unsettling enough. One of the more major complaints I have is that the ending feels, ever so slightly, like a let-down. It isn't bad, of course, but it kind of feels like the filmmakers weren't sure how to bring their creation to a close and so decided to throw everything at the wall in a 'haunted house' sort of way. Still, like I said, it isn't bad. It features unique visuals and is, for the most part, genuinely unpredictable. Overall, the film is a really good entry into its genre. It does some often seen things in a rarely seen way, which makes it all the easier to recommend. If you're a fan of horror, you should give this a go. 7/10.
- Pjtaylor-96-138044
- 7 sept. 2021
- Permalien
I wasn't expecting much going into this. Turned out to be a decent watch. The acting decent. The plot was good. The ending was okay. Could have been a lot better.
- onebengalcat
- 5 déc. 2020
- Permalien
It's been 2 days since I watched Anything for Jackson and I still cant get it out of my head... It's really good movie. Ill try to explain in few lines why I consider it to be a good movie.
1) Its different - In so much copy-paste ideas and remakes, i finally had the opportunity to watch something original, something different. Anything for Jackson suprised me couple of times during the movie and I really liked that. This movie was not predictable and its soo good!
2) Its low budget movie - I'm really starting to enjoy low budget movies more than high budget movies and that is actually not so good because it means that high budget movies lacks of original story and new ideas. Low budget movies today are more focused on depth of story and that is, for me, most important part of movie. In Anything for Jackson you will maybe see some cheap effects in some scenes but they are created with soul and that gives them something that most of high budget movies dont have today. I really enjoyed every scene of this movie.
3) Good acting and music - Acting is, besides story line, probably most important part of the movie and in this movie acting is great! I really liked main characters and by my opinion side characters were pretty good too. For me music is very important part of every movie and I really enjoyed in music and sound affects in Anything for Jackson so it's one more plus for this movie.
If you are horror movie fan and you are interested in cult stories than you definitely should check this movie, I believe you'll enjoy it!
1) Its different - In so much copy-paste ideas and remakes, i finally had the opportunity to watch something original, something different. Anything for Jackson suprised me couple of times during the movie and I really liked that. This movie was not predictable and its soo good!
2) Its low budget movie - I'm really starting to enjoy low budget movies more than high budget movies and that is actually not so good because it means that high budget movies lacks of original story and new ideas. Low budget movies today are more focused on depth of story and that is, for me, most important part of movie. In Anything for Jackson you will maybe see some cheap effects in some scenes but they are created with soul and that gives them something that most of high budget movies dont have today. I really enjoyed every scene of this movie.
3) Good acting and music - Acting is, besides story line, probably most important part of the movie and in this movie acting is great! I really liked main characters and by my opinion side characters were pretty good too. For me music is very important part of every movie and I really enjoyed in music and sound affects in Anything for Jackson so it's one more plus for this movie.
If you are horror movie fan and you are interested in cult stories than you definitely should check this movie, I believe you'll enjoy it!
- bojan-bozovic87
- 9 mars 2021
- Permalien
"Anything for Jackson" turned out to be a rather pleasantly surprisingly good horror movie. I was genuinely entertained by what writer Keith Cooper and director Justin G. Dyck delivered with this 2020 movie.
The storyline in "Anything for Jackson" actually proved to be one that blended elements of a handful of older classic horror movies together, while actually maintaining its own plot. And I will say that I definitely liked the story told here, and it made for a wholesome horror experience.
Now, it should be said that "Anything for Jackson" is not a horror movie in the sense of jump scares and attempts to thrill the audience with gory effects and brutality. No, "Anything for Jackson" is more of a subtle horror movie that slowly creeps in under your skin and sticks with you, as it is a story that resonates with many different elements; such as the bonds of a family, the love between two people, the willingness to make sacrifices, supernatural elements, religious elements, etc. There was an abundance of things here that made for an enjoyable plot.
While the story told in "Anything for Jackson" is somewhat disturbing and creepy, there is also something profoundly beautiful about it at the same time. It is truly something rather unique that writer Keith Cooper managed to conjured up here. And there is just the right amount of absurdity to the storyline as well, to spruce it up with just a hint of dark, twisted humor.
The acting in "Anything for Jackson" was just spot on, and I will say that lead actor Julian Richings (playing Henry Walsh) and lead actress Sheila McCarthy (playing Audrey Walsh) were phenomenal in the roles, and they were so well-cast for this particular movie. I was struggling a bit with the character portrayed by actor Josh Cruddas, as he was just a spoof and so hard to take serious.
"Anything for Jackson" is a horror movie that is well-worth the time and effort to sit down and watch. And I can warmly recommend that you do so, if you find yourself given the opportunity, especially if you enjoy horror movies that transcends the usual gore and in-your-face-scares.
My rating of "Anything for Jackson" is a well-deserved six out of ten stars.
The storyline in "Anything for Jackson" actually proved to be one that blended elements of a handful of older classic horror movies together, while actually maintaining its own plot. And I will say that I definitely liked the story told here, and it made for a wholesome horror experience.
Now, it should be said that "Anything for Jackson" is not a horror movie in the sense of jump scares and attempts to thrill the audience with gory effects and brutality. No, "Anything for Jackson" is more of a subtle horror movie that slowly creeps in under your skin and sticks with you, as it is a story that resonates with many different elements; such as the bonds of a family, the love between two people, the willingness to make sacrifices, supernatural elements, religious elements, etc. There was an abundance of things here that made for an enjoyable plot.
While the story told in "Anything for Jackson" is somewhat disturbing and creepy, there is also something profoundly beautiful about it at the same time. It is truly something rather unique that writer Keith Cooper managed to conjured up here. And there is just the right amount of absurdity to the storyline as well, to spruce it up with just a hint of dark, twisted humor.
The acting in "Anything for Jackson" was just spot on, and I will say that lead actor Julian Richings (playing Henry Walsh) and lead actress Sheila McCarthy (playing Audrey Walsh) were phenomenal in the roles, and they were so well-cast for this particular movie. I was struggling a bit with the character portrayed by actor Josh Cruddas, as he was just a spoof and so hard to take serious.
"Anything for Jackson" is a horror movie that is well-worth the time and effort to sit down and watch. And I can warmly recommend that you do so, if you find yourself given the opportunity, especially if you enjoy horror movies that transcends the usual gore and in-your-face-scares.
My rating of "Anything for Jackson" is a well-deserved six out of ten stars.
- paul_m_haakonsen
- 2 déc. 2020
- Permalien
Very well crafted horror! Unexpectedly original and unusual film.Acting is stellar!
Highly recommended!
- tchitouniaram
- 5 déc. 2020
- Permalien
A simple but decent story, great casting, a couple of rather scary and tense scenes made Anything for Jackson an enjoyable low-budget horror.
It's dry, which contributes to a better, more realistic experience. In addition, the creators threw in enough black humor in the film, some scenes are intentionally made funny, but some are so unknowingly.
Unfortunately, towards the end, when the film really starts to shine, as if shying away from or limiting themselves, the creators quickly wrap up the story with an ambiguous ending that doesn't really work.
This film can still be recommended for at least a single viewing, especially for genre fans.
It's dry, which contributes to a better, more realistic experience. In addition, the creators threw in enough black humor in the film, some scenes are intentionally made funny, but some are so unknowingly.
Unfortunately, towards the end, when the film really starts to shine, as if shying away from or limiting themselves, the creators quickly wrap up the story with an ambiguous ending that doesn't really work.
This film can still be recommended for at least a single viewing, especially for genre fans.
- gedikreverdi
- 14 janv. 2021
- Permalien
Well crafted movie, but it stalls ultimately leaving the viewer with a sense of "okay". Nothing wrong with the production or acting; story line is a bit shy of having much plot other than the reverse exorcism. Fine, and a good try, but overall meh.
- jmbovan-47-160173
- 12 déc. 2020
- Permalien
I didn't expect much from the trailer, although it made the movie look intriguing enough. But I was really not prepared for how utterly disturbing this movie ended up being. I mean, it starts off with a shock, and then tappers down to be somewhat of a sad tale of a sweet old couple that is caught up in something wickedly serious. But man, once things start to happen, it just doesn't let up! Every time you put your guard down, something new and disturbing rears its hideous head and it gets worse and worse as the movie goes on. But that ending....that's what got to me. It was so subtle, yet so incredibly creepy, that the same night I watched the movie I had horrible nightmares that didn't let me get a wink of sleep.
Highly recommended!!!!
Highly recommended!!!!
- manuelasaez
- 5 déc. 2020
- Permalien
- BandSAboutMovies
- 29 janv. 2021
- Permalien
ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is one of those low budget movies that essentially went directly to the Shudder network, and to physical media (I saw the blu ray of it). It has so much going for it, but in the end, falls prey to that most predictable and frustrating element that dooms so many horror movies: it fumbles the ending. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this movie might have actually had a decent theatrical release if someone had told director Justin Dyck and writer Keith Cooper to completely scrap the last 10 minutes or so (and in particular the last 1 minute) and try again.
As it stands, this was a 6 star movie for me, until it became a 3 star movie in its final minutes. I'm giving it 5 stars, rounding up because most of it was, indeed, enjoyable.
And elderly couple, Audrey (Sheila McCarthy) and Henry (Julian Richings), a family practice doctor, recently lost their daughter and grandson tragically. And because they are satanists, they believe they can bring their beloved Jackson back to them by conducting a sort of reverse exorcism in which they spirit of Jackson will be forced into the body of an unborn child (who is being carried by Becker, a patient of Henry's, played by Konstantina Mantelos). Good idea, right? What could possibly go wrong?
The movie doesn't shy away from violence and it doesn't shy away at all from the horrific nature of the plan this kooky couple has concocted. But it is also a bit playful with some sly humor. One example: the small satanist society gathers for "prayer meetings" in a dingy community center, around folding tables, with snacks being brought for afterwards by one of the members. They feel more like a very small AA gathering than a group of dangerous Satan worshippers. Audrey and Henry have many amusing interactions, particularly when Audrey gently (or not so gently) berates Henry over little mistakes and oversights. A fellow church-goer, Ian (Josh Cruddas) lives in his mom's basement...hardly a new idea, but it takes a known movie cliché and spoofs it by emulating it.
As things, inevitably, begin to go wrong, the violence ratchets up, as does the pressure on Audrey and Henry. We find they will, indeed, do pretty much Anything for Jackson, but that they've also selected in Becker a victim who is just going to go down without a fight. And the supernatural elements that invade their house have agendas of their own too.
It's all bloody good fun, walking a nice line between taking itself seriously and have a bit of fun. And while most of the performances are perfunctory at best, McCarthy & Richings are delightfully off-kilter and clearly having an absolute blast. They are the best reason, by far, to watch the movie.
But, as I mentioned, the ending is botched. First, we're treated to over-the-top supernatural shenanigans and violence as the movie nears its end. Rather than turning up the tension or adding to the fear, everything just becomes loud and confusing. Events happen TOO quickly and dialogue gets trampled over by everything else going on and much is left unexplained. There seems to be no reason for much of the horrible things that happen, other than to just be creepy and awful. And the final scene of the film completely falls flat; I couldn't even quite see what was going on, much less infer any meaning. And then it ends. I wanted to hurl my remote control at the TV! I had enjoyed so much of this film, and was SO let down.
So, despite some surprisingly fun moments, I just can't bring myself to recommend it. ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is a near-miss, but it's still a miss.
As it stands, this was a 6 star movie for me, until it became a 3 star movie in its final minutes. I'm giving it 5 stars, rounding up because most of it was, indeed, enjoyable.
And elderly couple, Audrey (Sheila McCarthy) and Henry (Julian Richings), a family practice doctor, recently lost their daughter and grandson tragically. And because they are satanists, they believe they can bring their beloved Jackson back to them by conducting a sort of reverse exorcism in which they spirit of Jackson will be forced into the body of an unborn child (who is being carried by Becker, a patient of Henry's, played by Konstantina Mantelos). Good idea, right? What could possibly go wrong?
The movie doesn't shy away from violence and it doesn't shy away at all from the horrific nature of the plan this kooky couple has concocted. But it is also a bit playful with some sly humor. One example: the small satanist society gathers for "prayer meetings" in a dingy community center, around folding tables, with snacks being brought for afterwards by one of the members. They feel more like a very small AA gathering than a group of dangerous Satan worshippers. Audrey and Henry have many amusing interactions, particularly when Audrey gently (or not so gently) berates Henry over little mistakes and oversights. A fellow church-goer, Ian (Josh Cruddas) lives in his mom's basement...hardly a new idea, but it takes a known movie cliché and spoofs it by emulating it.
As things, inevitably, begin to go wrong, the violence ratchets up, as does the pressure on Audrey and Henry. We find they will, indeed, do pretty much Anything for Jackson, but that they've also selected in Becker a victim who is just going to go down without a fight. And the supernatural elements that invade their house have agendas of their own too.
It's all bloody good fun, walking a nice line between taking itself seriously and have a bit of fun. And while most of the performances are perfunctory at best, McCarthy & Richings are delightfully off-kilter and clearly having an absolute blast. They are the best reason, by far, to watch the movie.
But, as I mentioned, the ending is botched. First, we're treated to over-the-top supernatural shenanigans and violence as the movie nears its end. Rather than turning up the tension or adding to the fear, everything just becomes loud and confusing. Events happen TOO quickly and dialogue gets trampled over by everything else going on and much is left unexplained. There seems to be no reason for much of the horrible things that happen, other than to just be creepy and awful. And the final scene of the film completely falls flat; I couldn't even quite see what was going on, much less infer any meaning. And then it ends. I wanted to hurl my remote control at the TV! I had enjoyed so much of this film, and was SO let down.
So, despite some surprisingly fun moments, I just can't bring myself to recommend it. ANYTHING FOR JACKSON is a near-miss, but it's still a miss.
- RMurray847
- 28 juil. 2024
- Permalien
Quite low budget but really enjoyable horror. The protagonist is a bit wishy washy but that's more than made up by other characters especially Josh Cruddas who was born for his role in this film. Exceptionally good fun!
- Devils_advocake
- 20 janv. 2021
- Permalien
Dude, this movie is dope sick. If you enjoy some good horror tale, go watch it. No fancy vfx here, only good old practical effects, a creepy script and crescent dark tension. A horror gem.
- neoclone07
- 27 févr. 2021
- Permalien
- misterdevon
- 2 mai 2022
- Permalien
Movie starts really well - decent acting, great atmospheric horror, creepy imagery, however it completely falls apart towards the end, turning into cringey horror comedy at the last act, which completely ruins the mood and ultimately spoils the entire experience.
- HorrorEnjoyer
- 14 janv. 2021
- Permalien