The Amityville Curse is a 1990 horror film directed by Tom Berry. It is the fourth installment in the Amityville series and follows a family who moves into a new home in Amityville, only to experience supernatural events and a curse that has plagued the town for years. The film begins with a flashback to the original Amityville house, where a priest tries to exorcise the demon possessing the house. He fails and the demon escapes, vowing to return and continue its reign of terror. In present day, a family moves into a new house in Amityville, unaware of its dark history. They quickly start experiencing strange occurrences, such as objects moving on their own, eerie voices, and disturbing nightmares.
Amityville : maison des horreurs, Amityville : Maison des horreurs
It is disconcerting to witness the film s inability to surpass mediocrity, especially when the bar was set relatively low, and the source material possessed potential for an engagingly lurid narrative. As a result, The Amityville Curse never managed to shift beyond its first gear, hindered further by lackluster visual effects that made the ghosts appear more like video glitches, and a mere smattering of bloodshed.
They quickly start experiencing strange occurrences, such as objects moving on their own, eerie voices, and disturbing nightmares. As the supernatural activity intensifies, it becomes clear that the house is haunted by the same demon that plagued the original Amityville home. As the family struggles to survive the curse, they uncover the dark secrets of the town and the demon's origins.
The Amityville Curse (2023) Review
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It's about a group of friends who purchase an infamous home with the intention of flipping it, only to discover a deadly paranormal presence emanating from within the house.
"The Amityville Curse" found itself entangled in its own web of challenges and underwhelming circumstances. As yet another addition to the Amityville franchise, it carried the burden of being perceived as a mediocrity, much like its predecessors "Amityville Cult" and "Amityville in the Hood." Moreover, being categorized as a Tubi Original film didn't instill much confidence, given the mixed reception associated with such productions.
However, amidst the uncertainties, a glimmer of hope emerged. Director Éric Tessier, although relatively unknown outside of Quebec, had showcased his directorial prowess in the outstanding adaptations of Patrick Senécal's novels, including "5150 Elm's Way" and the notable "Sur le Seuil" (Evil Words). Additionally, the film was penned by Dennis Heaton, who had previously written the screenplay for the Billy Connolly zom-com "Fido." While not an overwhelmingly promising combination, it held more potential than many similar films in the genre.
"The Amityville Curse" was described not as a remake of the 1990 film but as a "modern reimagining of the novel." It opened with a chilling scene of a woman hanging herself after placing an envelope on the mantle. Bizarrely, as the chair kicked away beneath her, the envelope took flight under its own inexplicable power.
The house was subsequently purchased by a group of friends: Lucy (Jenny Raven), Frank (Dillon Casey), Debbie (Vanessa Smythe), Billie (Mercedes Morris), Abigail (Tommie-Amber Pirie), and Marv (Michael Xavier). Their plan was to live in the house while renovating it into three condos, ultimately profiting from their venture. However, from the very beginning, the house revealed its sinister nature through falling mirrors, objects mysteriously shifting, and unexplained accidents. Regrettably, the group's preoccupations with personal relationship dramas overshadowed the mounting paranormal occurrences.
During the film's initial half-hour, "The Amityville Curse" maintained a subdued tone with only a handful of jump scares interspersed among the familiar clichés. To their credit, Tessier and Heaton ensured that the narrative never became monotonous. Yet, despite their efforts, the film failed to achieve anything exceptional. It attempted to inject momentum following a tragic death, introducing Kenny Wong as a paranormal podcaster, whose presence added a brief but entertaining touch. The subsequent appearance of Brendan Fehr as a parapsychologist aimed to further ignite the story through a séance.
Unfortunately, the film was plagued by excessive filler content and implausible character behavior. The endless bickering between the female characters over Marv, despite the mounting fatalities among their friends, strained credibility. As a result, "The Amityville Curse" never managed to shift beyond its first gear, hindered further by lackluster visual effects that made the ghosts appear more like video glitches, and a mere smattering of bloodshed.
In fairness, the original version of "The Amityville Curse," also available on Tubi, was an unremarkable affair, leaving little room for desecration of a classic. However, it remains disheartening that this modern reimagining failed to surpass its predecessor or deliver an improved viewing experience. With relatively low expectations set for the film, considering the franchise's history, it could have potentially become an entertainingly trashy production reminiscent of "Amityville: The Possession."
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Worth Watching?
Ultimately, "The Amityville Curse" does manage to surpass some recent entries within the Amityville series and other Tubi Originals. Yet, when the competition includes films like "Amityville Christmas Vacation," such achievement doesn't hold significant weight. It is disconcerting to witness the film's inability to surpass mediocrity, especially when the bar was set relatively low, and the source material possessed potential for an engagingly lurid narrative. It serves as a reminder for aspiring filmmakers to strive for excellence and consider their career choices if they cannot produce a superior film to "Tow."
However, amidst the uncertainties, a glimmer of hope emerged. Director Éric Tessier, although relatively unknown outside of Quebec, had showcased his directorial prowess in the outstanding adaptations of Patrick Senécal's novels, including "5150 Elm's Way" and the notable "Sur le Seuil" (Evil Words). Additionally, the film was penned by Dennis Heaton, who had previously written the screenplay for the Billy Connolly zom-com "Fido." While not an overwhelmingly promising combination, it held more potential than many similar films in the genre.
They learn that the curse dates back centuries and has claimed the lives of many innocent people. The family must find a way to break the curse and save themselves before it's too late. The Amityville Curse incorporates elements of haunted house narratives, possession, and demonic forces. It explores themes of evil, family, and the destructive power of curses. The film's eerie atmosphere, suspenseful music, and supernatural effects create a chilling viewing experience. The Amityville Curse received mixed reviews upon its release, with some praising its suspenseful moments and atmospheric tone, while others criticized its predictable plot and lack of originality. It is considered a cult classic among horror fans and a notable entry in the Amityville franchise. Overall, The Amityville Curse is a chilling horror film that continues the story of the infamous Amityville House. It serves as a reminder of the enduring popularity of the Amityville horror franchise and its ability to captivate audiences with its tales of supernatural terror..
Reviews for "Ghosts and Demons: Unraveling the Truth in Amityville 2023"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was eagerly waiting to watch "The Amityville Curse 2023" as a fan of horror movies, but I was utterly disappointed. The plot was dull and predictable, lacking any genuine scares or suspense. The actors seemed disinterested and delivered their lines without any conviction. The overall execution felt lazy and rushed, with poorly executed special effects. It didn't live up to the standards set by its predecessors, and I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
2. Mike - 1 star - "The Amityville Curse 2023" was a complete disaster. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence, making it almost impossible to follow. The acting was absolutely dreadful, with characters that were poorly developed and lacked any depth. The attempt at creating suspense fell flat, and the jump scares were incredibly cliché. It felt like a low-budget film that relied on cheap gimmicks instead of genuine horror elements. Save yourself from this film, it's a waste of time.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As a fan of the horror genre, I had high hopes for "The Amityville Curse 2023," but it failed to deliver. The plot was unoriginal and lacked any innovation, following the same old haunted house tropes without adding anything new or exciting. The characters were poorly written and lacked any significant development, making it hard to connect or care about their fates. The film relied too heavily on jump scares, with no real tension or atmosphere. Disappointing overall.
4. Jonathan - 2 stars - "The Amityville Curse 2023" was a letdown in terms of its storyline and execution. The plot lacked depth and felt repetitive, with predictable twists and turns that failed to surprise or engage. The acting was subpar, with characters that were one-dimensional and lacked convincing performances. The film didn't bring anything new to the table and felt like a generic haunted house movie. It's forgettable and not worth the watch.