WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s (and Grandfather’s) house we go. Well, ok, maybe not quite over a river or through the woods. But definitely still referring to a nice stay with Grandma and Grandpa, complete with cookies, candy, fun, and games–basically spoiled rotten. At least, maybe that’s the way it is in YOUR world. A single Mom (Kathryn Hahn) has a chance to take a cruise vacation with a new beau. However, in order to do so, she decides to have her two kids, Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and Tyler (Ed Oxenbould), finally meet and stay with their grandparents, despite her own personal past apparently being somewhat tense with them. Still, what could go wrong?
Sending them via train to the tiny, fictional burgh of Masonville, PA, Becca and Tyler are met by Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), a smiling couple and perfect image of elderly love. Settling into their week-long stay, with Becca filming it all to document the trip, everything appears to be on the level. The first night, however, strange noises from downstairs awake the two, and what they witness is less than comforting. Getting an explanation of this the next day, things seem back on track. But when a subsequent game of hide & seek turns freaky, the kids begin to doubt about their seemingly innocent grandparents. As the days and nights go by, creepy incidents and discoveries become more deeply disturbing, leading to a dark revelation and a fight for their lives!
Next, my Mind:
Folks, let me start by saying it straight up–writer/director M. Night Shyamalan is BACK!! This truly amazing creep-fest, which deftly molds its thriller, horror, and comedic elements together in a creative maelstrom of awesomeness, should both silence Shyamalan’s doubters and pull in new fans alike! Providing serious moments of complete levity with just as many serious moments of absolute gross-out terror, this is precisely the wheelhouse Shyamalan belongs in, and his execution here could not have been more perfect! The utilization of the hand-held camera perspective via both Becca and Tyler’s characters throughout the film actually adds a level of ominousness to the tale, and really makes the whole affair that much more frightening and real.
DeJonge and Oxenbould are total gems, playing the seemingly confident, yet emotionally damaged, Becca and the very playfully rebellious and sometimes overconfident Tyler respectively. It is sheer joy watching them navigate the unexpected and disturbingly eerie adventure at the grandparent’s home, especially as events continue to escalate and become that much more evident that EVERYTHING is amiss. Likewise, Dunagan and McRobbie equally excel as Nana and Pop, effortlessly moving between the kind, gentle demeanors one would expect, to full on sinister, chilling, and unnerving antics. A superb M. Night trademark twist is here as well, and it’s a whopper!
In summary, you will never look at a trip to the grandparents the same way again. Or the backyard shed. Or playing hide & seek. Or cleaning the oven. Or going into the basement. Or playing board games. Or wondering what exactly ARE those noises I’m hearing?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
