Shadow People

Shadow People

This gets a eight out of ten for a job well done. It wasn't perfect and it didn't blow my socks off, but it was a solidly good movie. This entire movie was on the power of suggestion, which is what the Placebo Effect is, you are told that a sugar pill is an aspirin so you believe it'll stop your headache and it does. Mind over matter - so to speak. The effects weren't cheap, but they weren't top of the line at all. The effects were just above passable, so it does not take away from the movie. The sound work was great and they did a good job with suspense. The shadow people, is a very special subject, as the stories have been around since the beginning of time, so much so, that it almost hardwired into our DNA. Our instincts since birth and as kids, tells us that fear of the dark is not from disorientation or worry that we cant see, so we cant function; we are afraid because somewhere deep in our subconscious we know that there is something in the shadows - there ARE things that go bump in the night and many of them we can't see, especially in the dark. This movie explores some of that, using both film and actual found footage. I would love to see more movies on the subject and more movies about the Mothman. These movies tease us and introduce us but they never really take us on a good journey. We never really fully explore, and that kind of gripe is what took a star or two from the movie, that and how the CDC lady figured it all out, without any actual proof that the power of suggestion is the cause and the cure. I definitely find movies like this better than movies like Paranormal Activity. Watch it alone in the dark or with friends, but not during the day or when the lights are on ... and sleep tight. Don't stare into shadows and don't think about the shadow people.

Ignoring the crappy special effects for the "shadows" themselves or the overused "jump scares" (which got old after the first two jumps), they actually end up explaining the whole shadow people bit scientifically. Well that was frackin fun. Sitting through an hour to realize that the whole movie is based on boring real life disease. There is no horror in whole movie, instead we get a weird fake documentary mix that just makes you wanna punch the director in the mouth. 4/10 (Four cause the premise would've worked well in a good horror movie)

Well the plot device of the film (recreations by actors of "actual events" counterpointed with video/audio tape/film of the "real life" people who allegedly experienced them) is lifted whole cloth from The Fourth Kind. There's a scribbled sketch of a shadow person in a notebook that looks a lot like the sketches John Klein's wife made of the Mothman before she died in The Mothman Prophecies. The CDC researcher is named Lacombe, the same name as the UFO researcher in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The darting shadows, electronic noise, and images in the static on the television screen are taken from White Noise. The notion of terrifying death as the result of watching a film is taken from The Ring. I could list more, but this should be enough to demonstrate there isn't a single original idea in the film. What a waste.

When people who make movies go out of their way to tell the audience that their movie is based on actual events, they set themselves up for criticism from people who want historical accuracy. "Shadow People" is another movie that unnecessarily chooses to go that route. This movie was plenty scary, and could easily have stood on its own merits without having to play the "based on a true story" card. I am reminded of two other movies that did this: The Fourth Kind, and Phantom. Both went out of their way to tell the audience that their stories came from factual history, and both received a hefty backlash of negative reviews from audience members calling the movie makers out on their claims. Any of these movies would have been better if presented purely as fictional entertainment. If you can put aside this aspect of "Shadow People", you will be in for a decent flick, both chilling and eerie.

This film chills with ideas and suggestions more than with visuals and gore or straight action. The director, IMO, does a great job with a modest budget and pulls out a bag full of skillful director's tricks (lighting, camera angles, shadows, color variations, etc) to achieve his ends. When there is an effect, it happens in shadowy spots of the screen image, reinforcing a spooky ambiance in the film. One of the best low-budget/minimal-FX films I've seen in years. It worked for me. My hat is off to the director/writers and actors for a job well done.

Cons:About One third of the Movie is so dark That you can Barely tell whats going on. Charlie's constant smoking adds nothing to the Movie. The sudden cutaways to Real Footage is confusing and somewhat aggravating. It should be either a documentary or a Movie. I rented it assuming it would be scary(Its in the Horror Category on RedBox) but this yawner couldn't scare a 4-year-old. One main problem is that other than a few Brief glimpses of Moving Shadows, there is no real Monster or Villain. The people just act scared and make noises like they're being choked, and the next thing you know, The reporter is reporting that They're dead. I also don't understand the connection between the Experiment with the Door and Shadow People. Charlie and The Woman act like this is Very Important. Lastly, I'll emphasize that this movie is not scary. There is no Scratching at the door, or Monster under the Bed. I would recommend picking another movie If You're Looking for a Scary Thriller.

I am a big horror movie fan. I've probably seen too many for my own good. That said, this one is one of the better that have been released in the last few years. It blends aspects of both supernatural and psychological thrillers. The family aspect of the film is underwhelming, and not as well done as other horror films such as The Possession, but the rest of the movie is what this flick is about. Telling the story of a late night paranormal radio host, the main character Charlie runs into some strange happenings when he gets a mysterious call and then a mysterious package from a young man who claims to be seeing shadow people. The rest of the movie builds from there until the end, which was more than satisfying. I would recommend this to any person who wants to get some good chills, see into the human psyche when dealing with fear, or get their girlfriend creeped out to get a bit closer! Awesome. Just bought it on blu ray.

What is this movie really about? I don't think it knows. Is it a horror movie? Is it a suspense thriller, a mockumentary or a based on a true story drama? It's no genre busting masterpiece just a movie that doesn't know what its own genre is. Is this a movie about the man or about the shadow people? Is it a warning to mankind or an admission of fraudulent behaviour and a portrayal of questionable character? No. it's a move that doesn't even understand it's own message. Is it a movie that leaves us with questions about what really happened or about the nature of the universe and how we really understand? No, it's a movie that leaves us with the question why? Why did anyone bother to make a film about something they clearly have no understanding of or belief in? I suspect half way through the process the director lost faith in his message so meandered between believer and skeptic. The 'real' footage of interviews with the original people was weak and completely pointless. None of them had anything to say either way and all seemed to be quite confused as to why there were being interviewed at all. It's a very weak movie that doesn't deserve your time.