Secrets in the Walls

SPOILER: Divorced mum and her two young daughters move into a big old house that's price is too good to be true. Soon strange things start to happen, and just what is that false wall doing there?

Secrets in the Walls doesn't offer up anything new to the haunted house formula, and the premise bears a striking similarity to a Richard Matheson story, but it is effective at what it does. Standard haunted house rules apply, with creaks, a music box, a creepy grate, spooky drawings and boo-jump shocks via reflections and peek-a-boo dark corners. It's competently performed by Jeri Ryan, Marianne Jean-Baptise, Kay Panabaker and Peyton Roi List, Christopher Leitch's direction is up to scratch for the spook and shiver narrative, and the music and photography tech credits are not intrusive and therefore well utilised for sustained suspense.

It's a safe recommendation to fans of the haunted house splinter of horror, and coming out of the Lifetime Movie Network it's impressive to find it's better than a lot of bigger budgeted Hollywood genre pictures that have trundled out in recent years. 7/10

Where to start. The acting, not so bad. The story had potential but fell flat on its face. The 16+ age restriction, a complete joke and although I wouldn't let a 6 year old watch it, I seriously doubt that they would be scared. If you are desperate to watch a good film then leave this alone.

SECRETS IN THE WALLS is yet more of the same old stuff: a struggling single mother moves into a cheap property with her two teenage daughters and soon finds that they're not alone in the creepy old building. Cue CGI-assisted spirits, a heavy debt of inspiration to the likes of THE RING, DARK WATER and classic ghost stories of old, and a general lack of originality.

Jeri Ryan, once a STAR TREK babe, appears tired and haggard in this made for TV outing that provides absolutely nothing new for genre fans. The scare scenes are well choreographed in advance and anything but frightening, and the bits inbetween the spooks are dull and talky.

The production as a whole suffers from that TV-movie style atmosphere in which everything is played safe and no chances are taken with style or plot twists. You'll guess the outcome from the very beginning and the journey to the end makes for one dull ride.

What this low budget movie lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in sheer effort, and a refusal to abandon the classic ghost story. Its the kind of script that if Sam Raimi or James Wan had gotten their hands on, there would be a totally different discussion all around about this movie.

The focused, incredibly simple, mother-daughter premise is worthy of Japanese horror, translated through Lifetime's unique way of doing things. Jeri Ryan's luck as an iconic television actress is all over this project, with music, cinematography and other production values that make this a cut above most tv movies. Ryan as the mother to the two very smart, very pretty daughters seriously adds to the inspired simplicity of this story, which wisely chooses to obey every cliché, until their tragic little narrative point is made. Better than a lot of big budget horror nonsense from Hollywood these days.

A simple horror film - nothing special during any part of it really. If it had released in theaters it probably would not've run.

Story: A family of 3 move into an ancient house when it is offered very cheap, only to find something strange going on inside it.

Storyline, Acting, camera work, thrills or horror - all are OK and nothing is too remarkable. I could not find any fault in anything with regards to the way it is made.

There is no vulgarity and it is not an adult horror film. Suited for family watch.

But it has nothing unique to offer really...same old concept as mentioned above. It's just a budget film.