Absentia (2011)
Director: Mike Flanagan
Where to get it: Phase 4 Films
Tricia’s husband Daniel has been missing for seven years. Her younger sister Callie comes to live with her as the pressure mounts to finally declare him ‘dead in absentia.’ As Tricia sifts through the wreckage and tries to move on with her life, Callie finds herself drawn to an ominous tunnel near the house. As she begins to link it to other mysterious disappearances, it becomes clear that Daniel’s presumed death might be anything but ‘natural.’ The ancient force at work in the tunnel might have set its sights on Callie and Tricia … and Daniel might be suffering a fate far worse than death in its grasp.
As this one starts it’s easy to notice that Tricia is in a pretty bad pickle. Her husband has been gone for a grand total of seven years and to spite the fact she’s pregnant, a clear indication that she has moved on in SOME ways, she still hangs the missing person fliers for her missing better half. It’s soon when her recovering drug using sister, Callie, comes to stay with her that things start to look up. Callie herself is off whatever she was on and has found religion. Tricia now has a nudge to move on, but things are about to get tricky. The sisters both seem find themselves seeing very questionable things. The suspense builds up a bit, but soon the two are ready to move on with their lives regardless. Odd visions and strange people you see while jogging be damned! Tricia, is about to take that next step with a male friend of hers but that flame is quickly put out when that damned missing husband returns..But alls not as it seems. Some seem to look the other way, but Callie being the clear smart one, starts to put things together, especially after one of the film’s more chilling scenes happens. What comes next isn’t action packed but I’d say it’s still interesting all the same.
I don’t know director, Mike Flanagan, but I’d bet he’s a big fan of 70s horror. While it’s clearly not a dated style, this movie does bring you the slower pace that many films of that era did. It builds tension and drops a few jumps here and there to keep you on your toes. When what is really going does come to light, it’s unique. Perhaps some questions are still there, but that’s not always a bad thing. Some of the best horror films of our time leave questions unanswered. This is an indie film that knows how to hide it’s weaknesses and make it’s strong points very bold and upfront. It’s a rather serious toned film, I don’t recall a laugh going down in the whole film. So if a good time is what you’ve came for, filled with laughs and gore, you’ve came to the wrong place. But if you like an old school horror film, packed with suspense and some chills, then this would be your type of movie.
(7/10)
Chucks website
