Directed and written by R.J. Daniel Hanna (Miss Virginia 2019, Hard Miles 2023), Succubus is one of the newest Horror flicks to fly in by way of Shout! Studios’ broomstick. Oozing its way into all digital platforms and DVD on September 24, 2024, as we get closer to Halloween, it should resurface for a Trick or Treat Horror Film Fest of your own.
Very Lovecraftian, Succubus is derived from medieval folklore. With this in mind, it denotes a supernatural being who reigns over dreamscapes to seduce her victims and consume their life force as a form of nourishment. Clocking in at just two hours, Succubus dares to take your life force by any means necessary.
Driven by its atmosphere, the home interior within Succubus is an ideal backdrop for the story because it realistically mirrors the daily routines of work-at-home parents that have become commonplace. This work environment is child-friendly and lends itself easily to work shift flexibility which is exactly what Chris (Brendan Bradley: A Tale Told By An Idiot 2022, The Plus One 2023) needs. Looking at this further, Bradley does a great job conveying his character’s vulnerabilities and the sense that he is visibly overwhelmed by being a first-time dad and a marriage on the rocks.
On the other hand, Olivia Grace Applegate (The Honor Farm 2017, Organ Trail 2023) skillfully portrays an emotionally conflicted wife and concerned mom, Sharon. Attempting to get his mind off the issues, his best friend, Eddie (Derek Smith: What/If series, The Rookie series) tries to help by introducing him to a dating site. In truth, Eddie has an uncanny way of being that ‘jerk’ that every woman hates.
The dynamics between Eddie and Chris are peppered with risqué bantering. Despite being conflicted and egged on by Eddie’s nudging, Chris forges ahead and meets the ‘girl’ of his dreams; Audra (Rachel Cook: The Hack Job series, Kill Shot 2023). The unexplainable intermittent light flickers and eerie dreamscapes convey the sinister and supernatural aspects of the movie. The music that accompanied these moments only enhanced the scene red flags are waving frenetically but this does not stop Chris. Instead, he goes for the plunge. In short, he gets more than he bargains for and ignores the dire warnings of Dr. Orion Zephyr; an off-beat astrophysicist portrayed by Ron Perlman (Beauty and the Beast series, Hellboy 2004).
Succubus’ takeaway is that people are not what they project online, but that danger can lurk in a digital meet and greet. Some things are better left alone. Despite some small rips in the celluloid fabric, the movie is an enjoyable watch. More light should have been shed on the dynamics of the relationship between Audra and the astrophysicist and the circumstances of how he evaded Chris’s fate. However, that may be revealed in a sequel. Overall, Succubus is a must-see on your 2024 Halloween movie bucket list, and Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment