Miracle Valley

Culty, ridiculous, funny and entertaining. It follows a couple who plan a vacation in an Arizonian desert. They are magically joined by another couple who give more of a back story to the two main characters. The couple are then stalked and seduced by a blood cult., while searching for a mysterious silver hawk. The trouble starts after they come in contact with the leader of the cult, where infidelity, death and disease ensue.

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Miracle Valley is the first movie directed by Greg Sestero who has also written the script and acted in this film. This refreshingly simple horror movie revolves around an occult cult that kidnaps unsuspecting victims to find perfect blood types for sinister experiments.

This directorial debut by Greg Sestero qualifies as a good horror film. The movie is tense from start to finish and keeps viewers interested until the dramatic resolution. This film has a chilling atmosphere that gradually increases throughout the film. The locations have been chosen with care and combine beautiful landscapes with sinister buildings.

The most notable flaw of this film are the restrained acting performances. Lead actress Angela Mariano offers stylish looks but few acting skills. Greg Sestero has delivered the goods in the directing and writing departments but fails to get viewers attached to his role in the movie. Rick Edwards incarnates an antagonist who is portrayed so exaggeratedly that he almost becomes a grotesque caricature. If the actors and actresses involved in this film had been more dedicated, experienced and talented, Miracle Valley might have qualified as one of the greatest old-school horror films in recent years.

As it is now, Miracle Valley still qualifies as a good horror movie going back to the style of American horror cinema of the sixties and seventies in particular. This movie convinces with a decent script that is partially based upon true events, fitting locations enhancing the flick's vibes and a grippingly chilling atmosphere that increases steadily throughout the film. Horror movie genre fans and cineasts interested in Greg Sestero's career should certainly give this film a chance.

This movie should be subtitled "Sestero's Folly". Where to begin? The script is ridiculous and has enough plot holes to drive a Mack truck through. There is zero character development. It's not scary. There are a few jump scares and some undeserved gore toward the end. Most of the actors are first-timers and boy, does it show. This movie is not "so bad - it's good". It's "so bad - it's awful". And, as a protagonist, Michael Myers in Halloween Kills, has more range and ability to convey emotion than Greg Sestero does. Sestero can seriously be outacted by a block of wood. The direction is competent but boring. I gave it two stars because its Arizona and Fallingwater settings were pretty. Please, Tommy or whoever is financing Sestero's film dreams, please stop!! And, Greg Sestero, just because you can (make a full-length movie), doesn't mean you should.

Greg Sestero brings us his directorial debut with Miracle Valley. This time around the man we all know from The Room jumps into the indie horror world and nails it! As a fan of horror this film hit all the right buttons. I love the set up of the story with a group of friends deep in Arizona which leads to a wild 3rd act that will have you wanting more! See this film with a group of friends if you can.

Over the years, Greg Sestero has become something of a renaissance man. While many would climb into their niche and gladly stay in their lane, Sestero has built himself a career on the heels of one of the greatest cinematic atrocities in recent memory. He may always be Mark in our hearts, but he at least is branching out into other avenues.

Aside from his foray into the world of publishing (where he gifted the world The Disaster Artist) Sestero is starting to make his own films. Thanks to the help of many people, we got the admirable effort in Best F(r)iends, a decent showcase for himself and Tommy Wiseau as they look to build and even move on from their post The Room fame. Now Sestero has completely gone on his own, giving us his first solo horror project in Miracle Valley. Based on a cult that actually existed in the scenic Arizona landscape the film was shot in, Sestero churned out the script during a quiet sabbatical to get away from Hollywood and touring for his previous project. What we get is a slow burn film reminiscent of the 70s Grindhouse scene.

The story is simple enough as Sestero and his girlfriend (who definitely appear to be on the outs), are about to spend some time in Southern Arizona along with some friends. Sestero's "David" is looking for an elusive bird that would gift him plenty of monetary fame, but while he is searching he and his girlfriend Sarah stumble upon a weird cult led by the preacher Father Jake. Madness ensues when they find out Sarah has a special blood type the cult has been looking for, and all hell breaks loose in the final third of the film.

The best aspects of the movie is the great care Sestero put into the project. Rather than just live of his name and let his legion of devoted fans lap up anything he makes, he worked for a good year to get the look, sound design and editing to make the film look as legit as it can be. And for the most part, it succeeds. While the film will most likely end up on a streaming service, it is well made and tries to be the best film it can be. I especially liked Rick Edwards, who had the most interesting arc in the film. First he seems like a shoulder to lean on, and next thing you know he is beating people up in all his shirtless glory. What a pro.

Watch this film when you can, for I think you will be satisfied in the final product. Hopefully Sestero takes what he learned from this when he makes his next film.