The Harbinger

This movie has a paranormal-supernatural theme with satanic, Christian and Native American elements. The Harbinger is not an action and special effects driven roller coaster ride seeded with countless sequences of creative graphic violence. Instead this story moves forward at a gentler slower pace. There are elements of 1960's Rod Serling style of story development. Viewers impatient for intense visceral assault and dizzying effects are likely to be put off.

Watching the trailer only will probably cause viewers to conclude the movie is different than it is. The sizzle mission of trailers often results in something that is nothing like the movie. I believe this is the case with The Harbinger.

Is The Harbinger worthy of your time? I think so. What you'd get for your patience is a character and plot driven story where performers cannot hide behind special effects or anything else. In contrast they are given plenty of opportunity to soar or bore. For the most part the performances are strong and sometimes even memorable. Also casting for the supporting cast brought together some unique talents that genuinely contributed to the film.

Saw this at the Dances with Films Festival and decided to get it. It seems a lot of movies, especially horror, are all about the tropes being the main attraction with not much substance as the foundation underneath - which is why so many movies feel the same to me.

Every time The Harbinger hits a trope, it doesn't hone in and linger and make a big spectacle when it gets to it. It feels like just another stop along the way. The story continues on as if to say, "you think THAT was interesting, oh yeah, no, let us show you where we're going" (And yet it all ties in later). And it just keeps going until the movie hits its endgame, which is simply to tell an entertaining story with substance of plot, character, and theme (can't say what without spoilers).

Perfect example: the "possessed kid" trope- Been done a million times. They could've gone down any number of worn out paths with that trope and instead went a completely different direction. This is actually not a "possessed kid" movie but I won't say more.

I'm seeing comments this is more creepy than jump-scary. IMO that's pretty accurate, but for me you can have good and bad movies in both of those categories.

Big-budget Hollywood classic favorites of mine are 8 to 10, so this is a very strong 7 out of 10 and I could see it becoming an 8 or more over time.

Dude carries this movie. Reminds me kind of a cross between Nic Cage and Keanu. You don't know what he's up to the first half the movie. His pain over his daughter is gut-wrenching. Once we learn something (won't give spoilers) he becomes a badass and we're on board with him the rest of the way. A movie can have any kind of trinkets or mythos it wants if it has a lead character who can hold down the fort and get you there. He's got the goods. Looking forward to what he does next. He directed this, I think, so as far as him as a filmmaker I think with a lesser lead actor this movie would have felt a little long, but because he's compelling the movie felt right. I've now seen this twice after reading reviews. His performance is even better in the first half when you know what you know. Same with the other people.

Just too low budget for my taste. I don't watch low budget indies and I gave this a try. It's better than any low budget indie I've seen but it still can't stand up next to a major Hollywood studio movie. That said, as the movie played, I thought less about budget and got more invested in the story.

And don't get me wrong, we've all seen that movie where someone grabbed a cell phone and shot it in the backyard. I'm not accusing this movie of that at all. But I've seen comments say something's missing, and that something for me is money. It looks and sounds fine. For me it's the difference between a Corolla and a Lexus. They both get the job done, but you know luxury when you experience it. I have to say the second half of the movie looks better than the first. Maybe that's where they put their money idk.

If I had to give any other criticism I would say the acting is good but they could have explained earlier why they were acting so weird. With the smaller parts, I like the style of acting but you don't find out why until later.

The parents act secretive and odd from the beginning and we don't find out why until about half way through. I can tell they're both good actors and their acting gets better as the movie goes on. I wonder if just finding out in the beginning why the parents are the way they are would have made it better? It's hard to say because it's supposed to be a mystery and I get it - They can't give things away. That said, kept my interest.

I don't know what to say about this. Horror is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think back on it but there is some horror. It depends on what kind of horror you're into. There are a couple crazy moments. This movie isn't trying to be only that. When I say it goes deeper, what I mean is bring a notepad and an extra pen.

I'm giving this a 7 instead of a 6 for a lot of reasons, but top three:

1. Original story. Can't understate. VERY original.

2. I like the bits of humor, the eccentric townspeople and LOVE the guy who plays the devil.

3. Emotional. I found myself invested in the outcome.