The Device (Movie Review)

Any devoted Horror fan would, by now, probably avoid cabins in the woods at all costs for any sort of holiday venue. However, that does not deter writers and directors from using the same as a setting for many a terrifying story. Such is the case in latest release Sci-Fi/Horror Film The Device released by The October People and Ruthless Pictures on September 27, 2014 in the United States. Written by Jeremy Berg (The Invoking 2013, Trauma 2013), and John Portanova (The Invoking 2013, Trauma 2013), and directed by Berg, the events of The Device are set in modern day. Filmed in Seattle Washington, USA, The Device has two main characters and focuses on the story of sisters Rebecca, played by Actress/Producer Kate Alden (Bridalplasty 2010, The Librarians 2015), and Abbie, played by Angela DiMarco (Trauma 2013, Grimm series).

Still from The Device
Still from The Device

As young women, while Rebecca and Abbie were staying at the family cabin in the woods, they had a huge fight about her boyfriend Chuck and Rebecca ran off angry into the woods. Rebecca was then kidnapped by her boyfriend Chuck, held hostage, and raped. When she returned, she was pregnant, but did not have the baby. It has had a lasting effect on Rebecca and several years on she still suffers post traumatic stress, while Abbie blames herself for what happened. For a long time, that is what the family believed to have happened to Rebecca, rallying around her and protecting her, but Abbie and Rebecca drifted apart. After the death of their mother, and a recent hospital stay, Rebecca comes and stays with Abbie and her fiancé Calvin (David S. Hogan: Shadowed 2012, Grimm 2012). Abbie and Calvin have decided to take Rebecca to the family cabin to release their mothers ashes in the lake.

Rebecca struggles to deal with the mother’s death and the memories of what happened to her years ago. After going off crying into the woods, Abbie follows Rebecca and the two discover what seems to be remnants of a crash site. Some strange metal is on the ground, and a round metal looking sphere. After Abbie tells Calvin about it and shows him the sphere, he immediately becomes fascinated by it. From this time, the events surrounding the trio become stranger and stranger. Abbie begins to experience troubling dreams and Rebecca’s behaviour is nothing short of bizarre. Even more troubling for Abbie, it is not long before Calvin’s fascination has turned into an obsession with the sphere, quickly transforming him into an almost possessed, mentally unbalanced man.

Still from The Device
Still from The Device

With their daily lives taking an other worldly course, it is obvious there is much more to Rebecca’s past than anyone could have imagined, and it is determinately affecting them all in the present. When Abbie speaks to their Aunt, Linda (Lorraine Montez: Z Nation 2014, Angel’s Bounty 2015), Linda warns Abbie, surprising her by telling Abbie what is going on is in their family history; the only way they get through it is by not talking about it and finding their own answers. This leads Abbie to speak to Rebecca’s Doctor, Doctor Sidney Mora (Russell Hodgkinson: Big Fish 2003, Grimm 2011). Mora readily explains the full story to Abbie, which only frightens her more. With Abbie discovering she too is pregnant, and Calvin’s behaviour becoming dangerous, it seems that history is doomed to repeat itself. Abbie finds the answers she was looking for, but is she prepared for them?

Still from The Device
Still from The Device

Using an innovative take on the horrors of being kidnapped and raped, Berg and Portanova inject their own unique creativity into The Device. Although, that creativity and innovation perhaps could have been emphasised by using some totally different settings for horror stories other than the now pedestrian aforementioned cabin in the woods. Excellent special effects, particularly the creepy and realistic humanoids, are complemented by seamless cinematography by multi-talented Berg himself, who also co produced the flm. Backed up by winning the Audience Award at the 2014 Local Sightings Film Festival in Seattle, and with plenty of action, a twisting, intriguing story, and an open ending, The Device is a must watch for fans of both Horror and Sci-Fi. CrypticRock gives The Device 4 out of 5.

the device movie poster
Ruthless Pictures

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