Absentia is one of the most talked about horror films of recent years with reviews relating to the fact that it is a ‘must see’ horror movie.
On the 9th July it makes its debut as a DVD in the UK courtesy of Second Sight.
If you’re spooked by underground walkways and subways then perhaps it’s not one to have in your collection if you ever want to walk through another one without looking behind you, or stopping to take a listen to the ambience that surrounds you.
Starring Doug Jones, Courtney Bell and Katie Parker it tells the tale of ‘Tricia’s’ husband ‘Daniel’ who has been missing without trace for seven years and when she finally finds the strength to declare that he is dead ‘in absentia’ (latin for in the absence) strange events occur.
Her troubled sister ‘Callie’ arrives to help her with the birth of her forthcoming baby (the father of whom is the detective who has been helping resolve her husband’s disappearance) things take an extra turn for the worse when she encounter various happenings in an underpass tunnel near their home.
It is revealed that other strange events have happened around the tunnel and other people, and animals have all disappeared in the same area.
Is there something in the dark shadows within the walls, does it hold the key to resolving Daniels’ disappearance or could it be something far worse than death?
Written and directed by Mike Flanagan the mood of foreboding events is captured brilliantly with camera angles, effects and pull focus shots which all add to the uncertainty of what happens next.
The music is atmospheric throughout albeit that I found some of the droning sounds overshadowed the actual speech track at times.
It’s a good scary movie that could from time to time make you jump off your seat.
When the final credits roll you could be left with disturbing thoughts as to whether to take the long route around your estate rather than walk through the more convenient underpass tunnel.
Absentia (DVD) Second Sight Catalogue Number 2NDVD3232