Angústia Infernal

I highly recommend this excellent thriller. I won't give away the plot and will make this review brief, but kudos to all the cast and crew. Top notch perfomances from Mattew Tompkins in the lead as Ryan Calhoun, as the cop who is plunged into a nightmare you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Wonderful support from genre icons, Michael Ironside and Arnold Vosloo, and Arianne Martin as the wife of our troubled hero. I was totally gripped by the movie, and all I really need to say is simply: SEE THIS FILM!!

This low budget twisted thriller had some great acting by Matthew Tompkins (lead actor) but even his acting chops couldn't bring this one out of the sloppy script. The premise is original enough and redone with a new script and a bit more money thrown at it, it could become one of the greats. It's lacking in good CGI's and the "demons" leave a lot to be desired as for being frightening. It's worth a watch just for the acting and originality.

Full of suspense! This film wrapped me up in its chilling world. I was all in! The entire cast did a fabulous job of bringing some pretty wild characters to life. Very well done and directed! You'll have to watch it again and again and maybe one more time after that to make sure you didn't miss something and you'll have questions after, many questions. BUT...it pulls you in. Well played sir!!

In the latest offering from the team of Jon Keeyes and Mathew Tompkins, The Harrowing speeds along like a fever dream. After a series of brutal murders, Det. Ryan Calhoun begins to believe there may be demonic involvement. Or is he losing his mind? I won't give it away here, mostly because after several viewings...I'm not sure. With each viewing I can argue either case. The supporting cast is great starting with the magnificent Arnold Vosloo and Michael Ironside. Also noteworthy is Morgana Shaw as a mystery woman who 'happens' to show up whenever Calhoun least expects. Tompkins brings Calhoun's uncertainty, drive, vulnerability and horror (and madness?) to life in a career high performance.

Keeyes story blends fantasy horror with seedy crime syndicate concepts that are poignant to real world issues. It is quite a heady storyline with a deeper meaning snaked through the film, revealing a larger story at play. It isnt a new idea to use a plotline as a metaphor of sorts to tell a bigger story , but Keeyes gets gritty and almost masterful in his attempt in a most creative way.

The characters are fully realized. Easily recognizable, even as unsavory as most are, and you can connect with their plight. "The Harrowing" is a transitional nightmare that plays with perceptions. Although at times the film hits lags with wordy cliché dialog, there is not a moment you forget what you are watching. Mostly because the horror of the previous scenes or the understanding that things are going to get even more horrible afterwards.

There are a few moments that hurt "The Harrowing". During the midway point as things get clearer, during the story transition, the story gets a bit muddled in the beginning. Luckily just as it feels Keeves could be heading off the rails , the muddle fades and the story rebounds and kicks in to high gear. You still are made to watch the story unfold with a big question mark overhead, but that is intentioal.

Overall "The Harrowing" is a killer movie. The special effects are stellar, both CGI and practical. I felt like I was watching a true modern giallo, with all the blood and gore a horror fan could want for. The creature design, what time it is on screen is awesome, I wanted more of it. Definitely check this one out.