Deadly Intent (2016)
Starring Rebecca Reaney, Lara Lemon, Peter Lloyd
Directed by Rebekah Fortune
Feeling pain over the loss of a loved one can be one that lingers for what may seem like an eternity, especially when the loss is sudden, unexpected and tragic. Director Rebekah Fortune grabs a hold of that feeling of loss and turns it into something innately more frightening in her new film, Deadly Intent.
The story rings like so many unfortunate tales of families that have members serving in the military: a young mother named Bryony (Reaney) is left to care for her child, James (Gus Barry) after the death of her husband Steven who served in the armed forces. The heavy loss has left Bryony with one hell of an attitude, and her little one is returning the sentiment by taking on a sad and withdrawn demeanor – basically an all-around gloom-fest, and with understandable reasoning. It doesn’t take long that odd occurrences begin to drum up in the household – your standard flickering lights, running faucets and toppled pieces of furniture, so Bryony simply chalks it up to James acting out in the wake of his dad’s passing. A change is in order (and due to the fact that their home is ruined), so the two pack up the truck and move to Aunt Lisa’s house – oh, Lisa…you have NO IDEA what you’re in for now. As the film’s runtime ticks away, the plausible occurrences begin to fade into the darkness, and the more sinister phenomenons begin to take over.
Numerous flashbacks are scattered throughout the movie, and we’re able to understand some of the torture upon the psyche that was inflicted during Steven’s tour in Afghanistan, and this in a sense manifests itself upon present time – or is it? Could dear old dad be visiting the family and letting them know he’s not okay with the current state of things, or is there something undeniably more evil at hand? The work of all actors involved here is something to enjoy, despite the sad premise and emotions, and the idea they they’re able to make those emotions that much more believable is a nice piece of work all around. The framework of a movie that uses PTSD has GOT to be something that is concretely believable, yet very sensitive to those who watch it, as it is an issue that is prominent in today’s society. Look, Deadly Intent is a movie that most people won’t be able to entrench themselves in, mainly due to the pacing and premise, but there are a few frightening incidents within that will appeal to some horror fans, although I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that there are other movies like this that might not be so weighty on the atmosphere.
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Film
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