‘The weekend ends here’
Holistay is a 2023 American horror film about two couples that arrive at a vacation house only to discover it is double booked.
Written, directed and produced by Mary Patel-Gallagher. Executive produced by Mariah McCourt and Marie Mellon.
The Jet Set Productions movie stars Steven Martini, Erin Gavin, Bailee Bob Sveen, Gavin O’Fearraigh, Gabriela Kulaif, John Michael Hersey, Mary Patel-Gallagher and Ramiro Mayorga.
Plot:
Two couples, Finn and Branna from Ireland and Tony and Gia from New York book a vacation house in San Diego. They do not know each other until they arrive and discover the double booking.
Unable to reach the owners, the couples decide to all stay at the house since decent lodging is scarce that weekend. They find they all get along although one couple harbours a dark secret.
The very next day strange events begin to unfold. Finn and Tony see a strange hooded figure lurking around the house.
Branna finds her suitcase toppled over when no one was home while Tony hears wailing and screeching at night although seeing no one.
The two couples must face a looming doom that shadows them culminating on one horrific night. Things are not as they appear…
Reviews:
“At the climax, she offers viewers a twist they won’t accept because it’s a cheat. While I believe Patel-Gallagher has a counterargument at the ready, I rewatched the pic twice and still contend it’s a cheat, because the person/people in question wouldn’t/don’t act that way in private. Which speaks to an even greater problem of characters’ unnaturalness permeating this thrill-free movie.” Flick Attack
“This is a slow-moving movie, the meeting of the couples and spending time together is the normal awkward then get on style. With this nice build between the couples, it takes far too long for the horror elements of the movie to happen. The lack of urgency after a few odd events also is concerning. This leads to the disappointing final product…” 2 out of 5, Movie Reviews 101
“Sagging under the weight of lengthy dialogue scenes – for example, when the two women return from shopping, drink wine and natter – that are needless and add little you end up at a point where you forget that you are meant to be watching a horror flick. With variable sound and picture quality too Holistay fails presentation-wise and fumbles building on the barebones of what would be a reasonable if generic plot…” 1 out of 10, My Bloody Reviews
“Definitely more of a slow-burn horror movie – but not so that one would mind, as the film sets up its story and its characters quite beautifully, gives the characters actual, distinctive profiles as well as good arcs, and makes all of them very relatable. Plus the story of the two couples trying to get along in itself is already pretty entertaining.” Search My Trash
“The elements were all there, and with a bit of work Patel-Gallagher could have had a creepy little film that would have worked even with what appears to have been a nearly non-existent budget. This time it wasn’t a lack of money that doomed the project. Holistay was killed by the lack of good writing.” 1 out of 5, Voices from the Balcony
“Though they’re shot and lit well enough overall, some scenes are overly drawn out and others are just clipped moments; characters are slow to develop, and there’s a lack of dread or urgency. Holistay takes interesting materials and never uses the time that filler dialogue eats up to insert a couple of surprises.” Warped Perspective
YouTube reviews:
Trailer:
Release date:
Holistay was available on digital platforms on June 25, 2023; it will be available on VOD on July 25, 2023.
Cast and characters:
Steven Martini … Tony/Nick
Erin Gavin … Branna
Bailee Bob Sveen … Gardener/Banshee
Gavin O’Fearraigh … Finn
Gabriela Kulaif … Gia/Gloria/Ana
John Michael Hersey … Gardener/Druid
Mary Patel-Gallagher … Second Banshee
Ramiro Mayorga … Second Druid
Filming locations:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Technical specs:
1 hour 29 minutes
