Devil's Tower

Devil's Tower is a British horror flick from 2014 that combines elements of suspense, horror, and action, while subtly hinting at the comedic undercurrent that often accompanies life's darker turns. Directed by Owen Tooth and penned by Adam J. Marsh, the movie interleaves the traditional narrative fabric with supernatural undercurrents to create an enticing and chilling plot.

The movie boasts a star-studded cast including Roxanne Carrion, Jason Mewes, and Frances Ruffelle, among others. The performances of these actors demonstrate Jason Mewes's charismatic comic relief and Roxanne Carrion's gritty resilience in the face of horror.

Roxanne Carrion plays the lead role of Sarah MacColl, an anguished and rebellious teen estranged from her mother and ejected from her home. Out of options, she is forced to move into the rundown social housing block, Albany Towers.

Veteran actor Jason Mewes, known for his involvements in the horror genre, takes a departure from his usual roles. Rather than playing his more conventional comedic persona, Mewes deploys an out-and-out creepy side, depicting the uncanny character of Jerry, who is a tenant in Albany Towers as well.

Frances Ruffelle, a Tony Award-winning actress, plays Sarah's cruel and neglectful mother. Ruffelle excels in her role as she carefully treads the line between creating a character that is both contemptible and pitiable.

Albany Towers is not your usual housing block. The walls of the building seem to breathe a life of their own - one laced with horror and doom. The inhabitants refuse to venture out after dusk; the basement is enveloped in an eerie quiet; and the terrifying caretaker Sid, played by Eddie Webber, is constant in his warnings of the dangers lurking within the tower's bloodstained walls. His character, while being an object of fear himself, delivers grave cautions about the building's scary history, as well as the malevolent force that has taken residence within the tower.

As more eerie incidents befall Sarah, it becomes increasingly apparent to her that something does not seem right. Soon, Sarah must adapt to combat the creeping malevolence infesting Albany Towers. Left to face the evil dwelling in the bowels of the building and the terror of being trapped in a locked-off tower with no escape route, the stage is set for Sarah, as she fights for her survival as well as of those around her.

Devil's Tower blends together elements of social realism with pure horror to deliver a chilling narrative. The movie doesn't refrain from raising relevant social questions about the housing crisis and class divisions. It delves into the social discourse on the implications of displacing inhabitants, mining the rich narrative vein that ties societal issues to thrilling elements.

The film showcases several gruesome set-pieces with gory special effects. The cinematography by Tom Lloyd visually encapsulates the bleak environment of the tower block and the impending terror that seems to lurk at each corner. Furthermore, the director Owen Tooth adeptly heightens the fear factor using deep-rooted horror tropes, such as chilling sound effects, unexpected jump scares, and sinister characters.

The film manages to create an atmosphere that closely echoes classics in the zombie-horror sub-genre, giving credit to its influences while spinning a new yarn. The pacing keeps the audience engaged, and the horror scenes are spread evenly throughout the movie to maintain a steady flow of fear.

In conclusion, Devil's Tower impresses with its innovative combination of social drama and horror, aided by strong acting performances and skilled direction. It builds on the fundamentals of the horror genre, while sensibly straying into dark humor and social commentary when necessary. For all horror movie aficionados and fans of skillful storytelling, Devil's Tower is sure to be an entrancing and unsettling viewing experience.