‘Every family has its demons’
The Wicked Within is a 2015 American horror film about a family gathering that turns violent and deadly when dark secrets are revealed. Also released as Possessed.
Directed by Jay Alaimo (Chlorine; Slingshot) from a screenplay co-written by Stephen Wallis (Campton Manor), Enzo Cilenti, Sienna Guillory and Shawna Waldron.
The High Five Films-Wicked Within Movie production stars Sienna Guillory (Nuclear; Don’t Hang Up; Resident Evil: Apocalypse and sequels), Gianni Capaldi (The Lurking Fear; Nightworld: Door of Hell; The Devil’s Dozen), Enzo Cilenti (High-Rise), Michele Hicks (2 Bedroom 1 Bath; Messengers; Mulholland Drive), Eric Roberts, Karen Austin (Jagged Edge), Sonja Kinski (First House on the Hill; She’s Allergic to Cats; Dark Hearts), Heath Freeman (The Seventh Day; Dark Was the Night) and Patrick Muldoon.
Plot:
After a year passes since the sudden death of a child, a family gathering takes place whilst peculiar unexplainable events occur. Tension over peculiar circumstances cracks the veneer of cordiality and dark secrets emerge.
Bethany (Sienna Guillory) becomes increasingly unhinged and seems Hell bent on tearing her family apart. Is she possessed or simply playing devil’s advocate?
With the help of a priest and a psychic, the family attempts to restore peace and sanity. Unfortunately, events which occur that night could never have been foreseen.
Police psychologist Doctor Woods (Eric Roberts) tries to exact fact from fiction of what really took place in the house…
Reviews:
“None of the twists, turns, or character decisions either A) make sense, B) build on the story, or C) offer a significant scare to at least redeem this pile of confused bullsh*t. The final twist is the worst of all, completely turning the movie into an exercise in pointlessness with no payoff. Sitting through this mess provides no satisfaction.” Dread Central
“Fans of more extreme possession fright fare […] will certainly find The Wicked Within too tame, too heavy on family drama, and too light on shocks. Those who aren’t big on that laundry list, however, or who don’t often delve into this subgenre and don’t mind an emphasis on the fragility of family, should find enough here to be entertained throughout.” Gruesome magazine
“People’s desires and secrets were revealed and played out pretty flatly, dulling the effect the story was trying to conjure. Still, to the writer and director’s credit, this low budget, essentially one locale affair was a good effort that sits up there with some of the films the Blumhouse juggernaut churns out, even surpassing some of them.” HNN
“Normally this is a film I run away from. It has all the bells and whistles of a mediocre film, especially with Eric Roberts being in it. However, the film builds slowly. We got to know the characters, if only briefly, plus the aspect of secrets that one wouldn’t expect a family to have so many added to keeping my interest. The acting wasn’t half bad on what could have been a disastrous script.” The Movie Guy
“Sienna Guillory’s performance is the only “wicked” thing about the film. She really goes for it, contorting her body, ranting, raving, drooling, and cursing like a sailor. She easily steals the movie, which is quite a feat when you consider she spends most of her time duct-taped to a chair. Sonja Kinski (daughter of Nastassja) delivers a strong performance as a sensitive family member who figures into the (OK) twist ending.” The Video Vacuum
Choice dialogue:
Samara, the psychic: “So, how’s our little demon doing today?”
Release:
In the USA, The Wicked Within was released on DVD on October 27th 2015 as part of the ‘8 Films to Die For’ selection. It is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime UK
Cast and characters:
Sienna Guillory … Bethany
Gianni Capaldi … Luke
Enzo Cilenti … Michael
Michele Hicks … Hannah
Eric Roberts … Doctor Woods
Karen Austin … Jean
Sonja Kinski … Maggie
Heath Freeman … Father Patrick
Patrick Muldoon … Doctor Adams
Sarah Lassez … Samara, the psychic
William McNamara … David
Melanie Avalon … Hospital Nurse
Sabrina Carmichael … Hospital Nurse
Cynthia Richards … Hospital Nurse
Anthony Reyes … Police Officer (uncredited)
Filming locations:
Los Angeles, California
Technical details:
80 minutes
Notes:
The film is copyright 2012.
