De Johnsons

"De Johnsons" is a rare Dutch horror gem and actually a lot better than the negative-minded reviews around here suggest. It has an original and oddly compelling storyline, involving anthropology myths, incest and teenage-sexuality. The complex and ambitious script tells the story of seven portentous brothers that have only one goal in their life: impregnate their virgin-sister so that she can give birth to a creature that'll bring the world to an end. Their father once went along with a scientific expedition near the Amazone, and he got obsessed with a local monster called "Xangadix". The subject matter seems far too complicated for a modest Dutch production like this, but director Rudolf van den Berg upholds the tension and credibility surprisingly well. The film contains several disturbing moments and there even are a couple very well-mounted gore sequences. Especially the scenes inside the fort (where the septulets got institutionalized after butchering an entire nursery home) and Emalee's nightmares result in very powerful horror cinema. The cast is good, with some 'famous' Dutch stars (Monique van de Ven, Kenneth Herdigein) as well as convincing new talent (Esmée de la Bretonière). Sure, it also has its flaws (like the somewhat disappointing climax-scene) but it's definitely recommended. Tip: invite some friends and organize a Dutch horror night! You can program this film, alongside "Amsterdamned" and "De Lift".

The first half of this Dutch horror movie is great. A 14-year old girl begins having horrific dreams about a group of strange children in a deserted building smearing blood on the walls. Meanwhile, a professor of anthropology is consulted by an FBI-type police organization about seven maniacs who, when they were children, slaughtered their schoolmates. The government doesn't know what to do with them & wants to know why they went crazy.

This first half of the film is great. The dream sequences are creepy & frightening & you are led to wonder what is the connection between the girl & her dreams & the maniacs in the prison. The fact that the film was made in Holland adds to the eeriness since everything is just a little bit "off"--it's not a standard formula Hollywood scare film & anything is likely to happen. Watching this part of the film at night, alone in the dark is guaranteed to terrify anyone.

Unfortunately, the second half of the film isn't nearly as good. As the secrets are revealed, they turn out to be fairly pedestrian & even silly. The addition of some foolish comic relief (in the form of the anthropologist's father, a voodoo priest) and some unlikely coincidences lead the film astray & throw away all of the spookiness that the early part of the film had created. The maniacs, so frightening and intimidating in the beginning, become laughably easy to kill as the film becomes just another cheap-o "slasher" film.

The film is a little different in that the leads are two women (the girl and her mother) and a black anthropologist. The guy playing the professor is good, the young woman is also good but her mother is kind of annoying.

This film is worth a try, but expect to be disappointed.

Never read any reviews of this movie, until I called it up today. I'd thought it was fairly obscure until Anchor Bay put it out. (Never seen their version.) Had mine for years. Surprised by all the complaints about the dubbing, it's never a problem on mine. I have always liked this one, it's not the usual pile of cliches. It does try very hard to lose it's national character, and could easily pass for some more European origin. the acting is good, but seems stilted by some odd relationships, and a tendency towards cliche in some of the more minor parts. The payoff on the ancient ritual is played like most slasher films, but is elevated slightly by the backstory. And the image of the preserved Xangadix fetus in amber, is rather haunting in the conclusion. Probably aimed at an American audience, but possibly a bit much for some crowds. It's not everybody's cup of fungus, but it isn't bad.

I have watched a lot of movies in my time, but this, by far, is the single most HORRIBLE movie I have EVER watched. The Audio is not in synch with the lip movements in the LEAST. It's like a bad Godzilla movie! Not to mention the fact that the "gore" is not realistic, and the main villains whole course of action is to dress as potatoes. I watched this with a group of friends at a party and we, as a group, made so much fun of this movie it seemed to be an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000! Without "spoiling" the movie for anyone reading this--and if you consider seeing it, do yourself a favor and watch it in a group so you can laugh together--the entire movie centers around men dressed as potatoes. Save yourself the two hours and stay FAR, FAR away from this movie!!!!

creepy dream sequences... kids writing with blood... girl getting raped by tribal men with rocks on their heads... all off that alone wraps up into a pretty boss film. Plus the crystalized baby is cute (and by cute I mean evil)... and an old man pushes a chicken around in a shopping cart. i thought it was an interesting and creepy movie. And the death scenes were nice.