Mark finds a different film altogether from the one he was expecting in Shelter.
The said killer is summarily executed.
Yes, thats actually in the dialogue, more on which later.
The point being that Adams condition is more febrile than psychological, and no one around him is safe.
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Theres a workable horror film struggling to get out ofShelter.
Yes, I probably am.
Its inconsistent and occasionally preposterous, but for me at least, it fits comfortably into guilty pleasure territory.
Instead, it builds up a palpable current of psychological horror that is more spooky than scary.
Nevertheless, beyond a few appreciable flaws, its a decent bit of nonsense.
This may not seem like a minor flaw, but one of the biggest problems is the script.
Funny then, how the script also wearsNight Of The Living Deadon its sleeve as an influence.
Moreover, occasional lapses into melodrama really break the atmosphere.
Instead of, I dont know, going out into the corridor and having a quiet word?
Cooneys to blame for that, not the cast.
Again, at the behest of supernatural forces.
Faring less well is a hammy Jonathan Rhys Meyers, whos risible (but not terrible) as Adam.
I just wish one of them had been cast instead of Rhys Meyers.
Shelterdoesnt seem to have been broadly reviewed or seen, and may well sink without a trace.
Even without panning it, I note its similarities to an under-watched supernatural thriller calledFallen, starring Denzel Washington.
Incidentally, that had Elias Koteas as the psycho, and he does at least look the part.
Its fairly unoriginal and, at its worst, its overly solemn and trite.
ButShelteris still reasonably unsettling to the casual filmgoer if not the most hardened of horror fans.
Minus a star if youre not me.
Shelter is in UK cinemas now.
Rating:
3 out of 5
