The Exorcism of Karen Walker [DVD]

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FIVE NIGHTS in Three Dimensions– FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S takes a two-dimensional game and turns it into a three-dimensional nightmare.

No, it’s not a Hallowe’en edition of Will and Grace featuring Megan Mullally’s namesake alter ego, but a British chiller which centres on the eponymous young woman and her spiritual problems. The exorcism is a terrifying ordeal, and it becomes clear that the demon possessing Karen is incredibly powerful. As the exorcism progresses, the demon becomes more and more violent, and it becomes uncertain whether Karen will survive. I’m guessing London is doubling for the US as psychic Rula Lenska charges in dollars, though she might be just a very savvy businesswoman catering for international clients. The movie takes time setting up its story with lengthy scenes and word-perfect dialogue. Everything has a slightly drawn-out feel, and could have done with some snappier editing. The film opens to a couple – Mitch (Shane Taylor) and Diane (Janine Nerissa Sothcott) – moving into a massive house, inherited from Mitch’s uncle, much to the dismay of his deeply religious mother (Jane Mcfarlane). Diane is pregnant, so the offer of a much bigger house is clearly welcomed at a time when their family is due to expand. However, things aren’t all they first seem. We learn that Mitch’s sister – the Karen Walker of the title (Denise Moreno) – has been committed to a local mental institution, years previous, following a stint living with their late uncle in said property. The discovery of an old Kirlian camera in the mansion’s basement gets Mitch thinking – maybe the two are connected. Sitting Karen in front of the camera seems to baffle Mitch’s further, so he hires the services of local psychic Ada (Rula Lenska) for some advice, though her thoughts on the family’s situation may not be what h wants to hear. Could there be something more paranormal and sinister at work in his sibling’s body? The film takes place in a world of few people, features barely any establishing shots, and could easily be adapted for a stage play. It’s well lit, the score is great, but punters wanting plenty of scares could be disappointed.Rather than base their story in the UK – where Hereford’s previous movies have all been set – the filmmakers opt to set ‘Exorcism’ in America, not only adding a new flavour to their repertoire, but also setting themselves new challenges and ambition too. It is glorious to look at, the cinematography dark, moody, and full of foreboding creepiness.

The realms of low-budget filmmaking is where you’ll find most of the top-quality horror fare from over the years, and will always be the best new discoveries will always be found, particularly in this new era of the streaming services. The Exorcism Of Karen Walker stems from a great, original idea by producer Jonathan Sothcott, and the resulting film is crafted extremely well, perfectly capturing the essence of the old features it frequently pays homage to, and the four actors at the heart of the story, Taylor, Nerissa-Sothcott, Lenska and particularly Moreno (pictured above), pleasingly play out the narrative. What sets the film apart from the usual horror fodder though is the performances. Shane Taylor is utterly convincing as Mitch and holds the whole thing together with his conviction and subtle underplaying. Denise Moreno as the titular Karen is unsettling in the extreme and its great to see Rula Lenska pulling out all the stops in a career-best performance.FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S: From Game to Big Screen– Feel the frights of Freddy Fazbear’s come alive as the film recreates the game’s world with immersive environments and wild surprises that’ll haunt longtime fans and newcomers alike. Described as an old school horror movie in the tradition of the Hammer and Amicus films of the 1970s, The Exorcism of Karen Walker is the first film to fully explore the concept of Kirlian photography – a process of photographing a person’s ‘aura’. Accidentally discovered by Semyon Kirlian in 1939, it has been the subject of much myth and speculation ever since. The chiller was written and directed by Steve Lawson. Shane Taylor, Janine Nerissa, Denise Moreno and much-loved television actress Rula Lenska all star in the film. The film is a slow-burner, for sure, and its raw nature may not suit all tastes, but as the story gradually works its way to a frankly jaw-dropping, affecting final scene – which I did not see coming – it’s hard not to walk away completely satisfied.