Invoking, The (DVD)
Starring Trin Miller, Brandon Anthony, D’Angelo Midili
Directed by Jeremy Berg
Following my reviews of The Device and Valley of the Sasquatch, I sought to finish checking out the films from the indie outfit known as The October People. The Invoking, currently available on DVD, is the group’s freshman effort, which is evident in many ways when compared to the other aforementioned films. However, despite some moments of amateur camerawork and questionable performances, the film ends up being quite a spirited effort that definitely subverts expectations with a novel plot.
The Invoking follows Sam Harris (Miller), who has recently inherited an old house from a family she never knew, having been raised by adoptive parents. Curious as to what this new inheritance is all about, she and three friends take a trip to check out the property located in an area known as Sader Ridge. Upon meeting Eric (Midili), the caretaker of the land, Sam begins to uncover things about her past that she previously had no memory of. Soon, she begins having terrifying visions that point to darker forces at work – forces that begin to threaten the lives of Sam and her friends the longer they remain on the property.
As a low budget effort, The Invoking proves to be much more inspired that one might suspect going in. This is in large part due to the story, which is actually a psychological horror story and not some generic supernatural tale, despite what the misleading title would suggest. A character-centric script penned by director Jeremy Berg and John Portanova (Valley of the Sasquatch) relies very little on genre stereotypes and provides some really interesting plot turns along the way, keeping the story and its emotional effect grounded quite solidly in reality.
Though there are a few moments where the camera gets a bit shaky and the lighting is quite uneven, Berg and Co. otherwise prove to be quite deft in their use of limited resources and simple techniques (misdirection and sound design notably) to help elevate the film’s story beyond your standard micro-budget fare. The film’s accompanying music from Trip Like Animals is also a very atmospheric addition, helping to set the creeping mood here effectively. The Invoking‘s cast is more of a mixed bag however; while Midili feels like a pro here as the mysterious Eric and Josh Truax is a ton of fun as Roman, many of the other performances fall notably flat at times and do deliver a bit more on the “amateur film” vibe than the rest of the film does.
While the film’s finale is somewhat unclear, leaving some questions lingering in Sam’s story, The Invoking ultimately proves to be an engaging, small-scale psychological horror effort. It is worth noting that the DVD artwork — like that of The Device — also suffers from some misrepresentation, making it look like a supernatural tale. This may certainly affect viewer expectations in negative ways, but for those willing to go into The Invoking with an open mind, it is a story that is certainly upheld by a sense of creativity and the filmmakers’ clear passion for the genre.
The DVD extras are notably solid here and quite interesting given the scope of the film. Leading the trio of extras is a filmmaker commentary, which breaks down the hardships behind the making of a genre film with significantly limited resources. You definitely get a great sense of the draining and high-stress aspects of this kind of fast and furious filmmaking — the whole of which took place in a mere seven days. An actor commentary follows and features Miller, Midili, and Andi Norris having a blast while recounting their experiences on the set. The three actors speak passionately of their fellow cast and crew, and you get a great sense for how the project was ultimately very collaborative.
A feature-length documentary is the shining extra of the bunch, going into great detail about the making of the film through interviews with the director, screenwriters, producers, actors, and crew. The documentary truly showcases the supportive environment that made the film possible and the on-set quirks that made the micro-budget filming experience a memorable one for all involved. If you have ever considered making an independently funded film, this documentary will certainly give you an idea of the work that goes into such an effort and how rewarding it can ultimately be.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by writer/director Jeremy Berg, producer Matt Medisch, and writer/producer John Portanova
- Audio Commentary by actors Trin Miller, D’Angelo Midili, and Andi Norris
- Feature-Length Documentary
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Film
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Special Features
Categorized:Reviews
