The Anniversary

Based on the previous glowing reviews, you'd think this little indie film was an undiscovered gem. Or maybe, after you saw it, you'd suspect the reviewers were somehow affiliated with the film...or being charitable, just saw a different movie.

In any case, this movie is just plain bad. The dialog is inane, the characters are generally unsympathetic and their behavior is irritatingly stupid when the "action" begins. The so-called "action" was followed by 10 or so minutes straight of high-pitched caterwauling and lack of realistic responses by the characters/victims. The villains were lifeless cardboard cutouts. I hoped and couldn't wait for the lot of them to be killed off and this turkey to be over.

I appreciate those risk-takers who make indie movies. However, this one would have been better left at the junior high-school where it was probably written. See something else or don't say I didn't warn you!

The most annoying movie I've ever watched in my entire life. It sucked in every aspect 🙈

This is my first review on IMDb. There are hardly any reviews for this film anywhere on the Internet. I wanted to contribute.

I saw this on hulu plus.

Not knowing get what to expect I figured this would be a standard 80's slasher throwback. I was wrong.

The set up is very familiar. Five girls head off to a cabin in the woods for a fun getaway. However, this day marks the anniversary of the murder of the main girl's ex husband. That's all I'll give away as far as what happens. What I will say is the film takes it's time effectively building up all of the characters. These aren't cardboard, one dimensional characters. They are real people. When the horror does start, the movie becomes extremely uncomfortable and quite unpredictable.

Some points...

The music score really adds to the tension.

You will be surprised by the twists and turns.

The low budget adds a gritty feel. Although it does work against the film at times. The camera is shaky here and there and you might not always catch what's happening. This doesn't happen too much though. The low budget actually worked it It's favor for the most part.

I've seen a lot of horror movies. Rarely do they leave me feeling unsettled. This one did. And for that, I give it due praise.

Even grading on a generous low-budget indie film curve, this is just inexcusably awful, save for some of the (over) acting. However, most of these characters are so stupid to the point where it strains credulity. The movie takes forever to get moving, and when finally it does, it kind of spins around in circles - as does some of the cinematography (if you can please call it that) for 15-20 minutes & promptly careens into a ditch. So, if you enjoy yelling, "how could you be that dumb?!" repeatedly at a movie - or yourself for watching this - this is for you. Otherwise, please don't waste 90 minutes of your life.

Some of the girls were not bad actresses and the story was good but the main villain Gail Harvey was one of the worst actresses I've ever seen she made a terrible villain you could tell that she didn't want to be in this movie and it just doesn't make sense that one drunk woman can overpower five girls and the whole thing of making her making them act out this script that one of the girls had instead of talking about her son's death was just stupid the movie started off as probably like a four or five and went down to like a one or two one Gail Harvey was put into it