‘The dead never forgive’
A Haunting at Silver Falls is a 2013 American horror film about an orphaned teen shadowed by restless spirits.
Directed by Brett Donowho (Acts of Violence; 5 Souls; No Tell Motel; The Sacred), from a screenplay written by Cam Cannon, Rachel Long and Brian Pittman, the movie stars Steve Bacic, Tara Westwood (The Grudge; Hell Girl), Alix Elizabeth Gitter and James Cavlo (Mansion of Blood).
A sequel, A Haunting at Silver Falls: The Return was released in 2019.
Plot:
Recently orphaned teen Jordan is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in the small town of Silver Falls. Clashing with her newfound guardians, Jordan develops a burgeoning friendship with a curious classmate that leads to a shocking discovery; according to local legend, two young twins who were killed by their father have cast a dark spell over Silver Falls.
When Jordan finds a mysterious ring, the murdered girls’ restless spirits begin to shadow her every move. Meanwhile, Jordan’s concerned aunt and uncle refer her to a therapist who sees medication and hospitalisation as the only solution to her problems.
As the frightened teen fights to prove her sanity, a killer draws near. Can Jordan free the twins’ spirits or will she be the next spirit haunting the small town of Silver Falls?
Reviews:
” …the ghost-liness of the storyline is reasonably balanced with the mystery and intrigue, and although nothing really new is explored, as far as paranormal activity, the overall effect of the film is moderate in its attention-grabbing intrigue…” Cinema Head Cheese
” …has its moments, but it is held back by its cruddy story and writing, its mediocre acting, and lack of consistent scares; A Haunting At Silver Falls lacks identity, it doesn’t know what it wants to be. A solid concept with severely flawed execution.” Cinematic Addiction
“Had the script been able to meet the capabilities of the performers, the end result may have fared better. With three writers credited, it stands to reason that at least one of them could have come up with something scarier than what this film offers and something more intriguing than the PG-13 mystery that comprises its core.” Culture Crypt
“Director Brett Donowho doesn’t do a bad job here, by any means. True, the film could have been a bit scarier, but it seems that all involved were happy to make this a supernatural-enhanced thriller rather than a horror movie with some extra melodrama. That’s fine, but it makes the movie a low priority when it comes to weekend rental choices, for example.” For It Is Man’s Number
“Real horror stories are hard to come by these days and this movie fails to create something new or fresh with rehashed ideas. There’s not enough horror to satisfy genre fans, whilst the thriller element of the movie isn’t made to feel important with a lack of tension. When the film’s major plot point is revealed, it’s executed too poorly to care about.” Horror Cult Films
“Brett Donowho directs it with all the blandness of a Lifetime tv movie – as the adoptive father, Steve Bacic even looks more like a ruggedly handsome tv soap opera star. There is precious little in any of the ghostly appearances that do anything to raise one’s pulse or let one think that Brett Donowho is offering up a single move that he has not copied from some other ghost story.” Moria
” …with no scares, overused ghosts and a twist ending that’s as by the book as a Bible reading, the decent performances alone can’t make this anything other than an inoffensive film you’ll happily watch then forget the next day.” That Was a Bit Mental
Cast and characters:
- Steve Bacic … Kevin Sanders
- Tara Westwood … Anne Sanders
- Alix Elizabeth Gitter … Jordan
- James Cavlo … Larry
- Nikita Ramsey … Holly Dahl
- Jade Ramsey … Heather Dahl
- Brandon Kelly … Robbie (as Tadhg Kelly)
- James Ralph … Sheriff O’Leary
- Erick Avari … Doctor Parrish
- James C. Burns … Wyatt Dahl
- Derek Fergus … Prison Guard #1
- Mark Scoltock … Prison Guard #2
- Zebulun Huling … Bartender
Some image credits: Cinema Head Cheese
