THE BASEMENT (2017) Reviews and overview

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‘Two men. Twelve personalities. One living hell.’
The Basement is a 2017 American horror film produced and directed by Brian M. Conley and Nathan Ives. The movie stars Jackson Davis,Cayleb Long, Bailey Anne Borders and Mischa Barton.

A Los Angeles serial killer known as The Gemini (Jackson Davis) is torturing and killing his victims in the dungeon-like basement of his San Fernando Valley home.

Gemini has already claimed seven victims, all of whom he maimed and decapitated with a blowtorch, but Craig Owen (Cayleb Long), the famed musician whom Gemini has chosen for his eighth victim, and Craig’s beautiful wife Kelly (Mischa Barton) prove every bit the killer’s equal in the art of psychological warfare…

Reviews:
“The makeup FX heighten the gorier moments, especially that brutal blowtorch scene. Somewhat dire in tone, there are no happy endings here. Jackson Davis is particularly good as Bill, thanks to his well-rounded character. And, The Basement is a great film, for horror fans, looking for something a bit more torturous, brutal and violent.” Michael Allen, 28 Days Later Analysis

“Without a meaningful mystery propelling the plot, The Basement basically becomes a simple showcase for Jackson Davis, who vaguely brings to mind Joe Pilato mixed with Brad Dourif, to workshop various voices and character types. With succulent roles for them to bite into, it’s easy to see why Davis and Cayleb Long were attracted to the project.  I don’t know why anyone else would be.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“The movie doesn’t end with the quick sucker-punch it should have, making for a slightly wilted upshot. That’s all right, though. The Basement is well worth watching for its stellar lead performances.” Staci Layne Wilson, Dread Central

The Basement is nowhere near perfect, but at its center is “a performance too powerful to be ignored”. And despite many other quality components – the biggest reason to see The Basement, is to watch, marvel and shake your head in amazement…” Michael Klug, Horrorfreak News

“Jackson Davis as The Gemini Killer is a tour de force. Each time he enters the basement he is a different character and as the pieces of his life are laid out, his performance constantly ramps up to match it. But just because The Basement is a showcase for Davis and Long’s acting talents doesn’t mean that it is devoid of gore.” Christopher Jimenez, Sinful Celluloid

The Basement will receive a theatrical and digital release in the USA on September 15, 2018, from Uncork’d Entertainment.

Main cast:

  • Mischa Barton – The Toybox; The Malevolent; The Hoarder
  • Jackson Davis
  • Cayleb Long
  • Tracie Thoms
  • Bailey Anne Borders
  • Sarah Nicklin

Release:

The Basement premiered at Shriekfest in Los Angeles on October 7, 2017.

Film Facts:
This movie should not be confused with the 2017 Hungarian film of the same name.

Official website

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