Beyond the Shadows

Everything about the movie is bad. I can't name a single part of the movie that is done competently. I wasn't expecting a masterpiece but I was at least expecting something that could resemble entertainment. That being said, the guy who runs the lodge is at least having fun with it. He knows this movie is trash so at least he seems to be having a good time with his silly character. Feel free to skip this movie.

Trying to expand their brand, a team of fraudulent ghost hunters decides to invite a group of believers and skeptics with them on a shoot for their next show at a haunted motel, but when they discover that the area is indeed haunted and not their usual tricks they try to get out alive.

This was an enjoyable if somewhat flawed genre effort. Among the film's brighter elements is the engaging setup that gives this one some fun as we follow the crew. The idea of the group's lighthearted approach to their work which is given in the first minutes here is a fantastic start to everything while also keeping the atmosphere entertaining enough. The first half, where everyone arrives at the motel to start their search carries on in a fine assortment of lighthearted moments and introductions to everyone joining them on the investigation generating all the minor squabbles and side-stories that will run through the rest of the film. That early setup manages to work to the best point here with the multiple groups exploring the haunted locale. With the team showcasing their tricks to the fullest with the off-screen noises in the distance laughing or growling at them, the fake EVP sessions calling out to the spirits present which turn into encounters and somewhat frenetic run-ins with the ghosts which are then piled into a crazy finale where the ghosts are suddenly placed in grander importance by launching a series of short-burst attacks which is a lot of fun. Coupled with a few enjoyable gags that are somewhat funny and there are some likable elements in the film. There are a few problems with this one. The main issue is the film's lighthearted tone that doesn't provide any kind of comedic value at all to what's going on. The attempts at jokes are often cringe-worthy with the cartoonish, exaggerated personalities and actions told in conflicting nature to the more serious situation this one is presenting which leads this one to feel as though a straightforward serious effort would've been a more fruitful endeavor. That also backfires considerably once the genre exploits are introduced here with the jokey nature making it seem like what's happening is all part of the joke to begin with, ruining some of the impact. The film's other issue is the bland and ineffectual pacing that doesn't generate much interest in what's going on when they're not dealing with the investigation. Not only is the comedy a main factor of this one problem, but also the amount of stalling and padding that goes on here. These here are the main drawbacks to this one.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.

I should have taken heed from this 2020 movie's low rating here on IMDb, but the movie was listed as being a horror comedy, and had a fair enough synopsis, so I opted to give it a chance nonetheless.

Should have listened to that voice at the far back of my mind telling me to stay away from this movie. Yeah, I should have. Man, this was a boring movie and a very slow paced and rather pointless storyline.

First of all, the movie had that homemade movie feel to it. I mean, with the handheld camera and the camera being all over, swinging back and forth constantly. I just absolutely loathe that. When I sit down to watch a movie, I do so for watching a properly produced movie, and not to watch something I could shoot myself with my own camera.

And then there was the storyline in "Beyond the Shadows", talk about being a swing and a miss from writer and director David James Gustafson. Nothing of any interest happened throughout the course of the movie, and the one-dimensional characters milling about like headless chickens in the movie and stumbling through the dialogue just didn't add much to the overall feel of the movie.

As for this being a horror comedy, well that is a massive no on both accounts. So that was a major disappointment for me.

The acting in the movie was adequate enough, taking into consideration that the actors and actresses literally had nothing to work with in terms of a properly written script, storyline or having interesting and fleshed out characters to work with.

Do yourself a favor and take heed, stay clear of this one, because it felt like a complete waste of time, money and effort. Some of us suffered through this so you don't have to.

My rating of the 2020 horror comedy "Beyond the Shadows" lands on a generous two out of ten stars.