‘A real American horror story’
Bethany is a 2017 American horror film produced and directed by James Cullen Bressack (Pernicious; Blood Lake; To Jennifer; 13/13/13; et al) from a screenplay co-written with prolific actor Zack Ward, who also co-stars alongside Stefanie Estes, Tom Green and Shannen Doherty.
After Claire’s mother dies, she and her husband move back to her childhood home only to have the abusive and traumatic memories of her mother come back and bring unrest into the house.
Unfortunately, Claire soon finds herself in a fog of past and present when her imaginary friend from childhood begins haunting her memories. What is this terrifying thing that is trying to reach out to her, and what does it want?
The film was released theatrically and On-Demand on April 7, 2017, via Uncork’d Entertainment.
Reviews:
“Bethany is 80% a perfect horror movie for an American audience. Perfectly balancing tension, drama and even moments of uncomfortable squirming as Bressack’s trademark penchant for gruesome natured horror comes to play. Yet 20% is attributed to a script that leads to unneeded deaths and subsequent consequences that will leave you forgetting the drama left behind in favour of begging an answer as to what repercussions lie ahead.” BloodGuts UK Horror
“Bethany has its highlights, working most effectively with lowered expectations. Bressack rides the line of good taste by involving the torment of children in the story (an unnecessary trend in today’s horror offerings), but he recovers with a ghoulish study of Bethany’s origin and experiences away from Claire. There are some gore zone visits to tide over genre fans as well, giving Bethany some snap to go with its spookiness, finding Bressack capable of doing something with the bare minimum of genre ornamentation.” Blu-ray.com
“Bethany has a genuinely gloomy atmosphere to it and is paced relatively well. It never really drags or outstays its welcome and the finale especially has some genuine power to it. All in all, this was an enjoyable enough film. Far from perfect; but in a very saturated genre, Bethany had enough moments that make it stand out. Highly recommend if you like your paranormal offerings with that psychological thriller edge.” Nerdly
Main cast:
Stefanie Estes – The Bunnyman Massacre; Revenants; The Undying
Zack Ward – Restoration
Tom Green
Shannen Doherty – Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys; Witchslayer Gretl; Satan’s School for Girls
Anna Harr
Leon Russom
Kevin Porter
Keith Jardine
Sophie Dee
Felissa Rose – Victor Crowley; Death House; Camp Dread; Poe; Sleepaway Camp; et al
John Murray
Thomas Downey
James Cullen Bressack
Tommy Pistol
Tiana Whitley
