Saturday, April 18, 2020

The School (2018)


Starring: Megan Drury, Will McDonald, Jack Ruwald, & Texas Watterston
Director: Storm Ashwood - Rating: NR - Score: 3 1/2 Stars

Lord of The Flies meets The House On Haunted Hill in the Australian psychological horror thriller, The School. Dr. Amy Wintercraig (Megan Drury) works in a hospital, on the spot where a hundred years ago a school once stood. The school however was burnt down by a trouble child and a lot of people died. As she cares for her comatose son, Dr. Wintercraig dreams of the school and the dead that walk it's decaying hallways, but is she dreaming or is she traveling through purgatory itself? This is one of those indie horror flicks that I felt could have gone either way. The beginning was kind of confusing and the hospital scenes were painfully slow. Things really don't get going until you meet Zac (Will McDonald), who literally makes this movie! McDonald is devilishly good as the charismatic lead of the "bad" kids and really puts on an unbelievable performance. Once Zac and his minions go after the adult intruder, the film becomes a chase through one scary area of the school after another, with surprises and secrets around every corner. A lot of writers would have settled for the secrets of this mysterious haunted school or for the warring groups of children, but the culmination of the two make for a unique paradigm, that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The School definitely takes a while to get going, but once it does, it is one thoroughly enjoyable ride.

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