A Second Son

Not a movie I would recommend to everyone, but one I enjoyed for the most part.

It's not an outright horror movie, save for one pretty wild scene near the middle, but it's got good a atmosphere. The first act is dedicated mostly to the family dynamic, specifically the tense relationship between Emily and her mother and the more supportive one between her and her brother. It almost felt something like "Exhibit A". Around the halfway point, it takes a big tone shift more towards the Mystery/Thriller side of things, which I'm not sure was the best idea. I feel like it lost some of the "heart", so to speak. Thankfully, the film didn't drag on too long when the more political and religious aspects came in, so it never quite lost me. A few of the line readings can be unconvincing (the doctor and the interview scenes are pretty rough) but overall it felt very well acted. Everyone in the family felt very believable. I'm surprised the main actress doesn't have any other major role credits! It ends pretty abruptly, but it makes sense in the context of the film so I can forgive it. It happens more often than not in found footage features ;P

If you like a family drama with a sprinkle of religious mythology, it might be worth it to check it out. Not perfect, not one of the best FF movie I've seen, but it definitely deserves more than the 20 ratings it currently has.

...I am, however, dropping a star for the scene of the underage girl in her underwear. Seriously, dude? C'mon.

This is a film that lingers in the mind. It is a really good film, with a unique take on the virgin birth story, with obvious religious overtones.

What I find refreshing about this film is the quality of the acting. Hollie Sullivan, who plays Emily, the lead, is amazing. She is incredibly believable and likeable as the lead, fully capturing the breadth of emotions a person might feel in such a circumstance as hers. The dynamics between the parents and Emily (Hollie) are remarkably spot on. The alcoholism of the mother, her overbearing fear and frustration with the situation, as well as the father's attempt to mediate between the two women in his life is also spot on. As a counselor and pastor, I found the dynamics to be painfully accurate at times.

Regardless of the conspiratorial aspects, which are really good and different, this is a well done film that is sadly underappreciated. I hope Hollie Sullivan does more in the future. Her resume is unfortunately brief, but if she did nothing else in her career, this is a phenomenal performance.