The Campus

The Campus, a horror movie from 2018, centers around Morgan (Rachel Amanda Bryant), who is forced to enroll in college after losing her scholarship. She decides to join a sorority to gain some sense of belonging on campus. However, the sorority sisters, led by Veronica (Brit Sheridan), are tasked with performing an initiation ritual that involves resurrecting the dead. The ritual goes wrong, and all hell breaks loose.

The opening scene of the movie sets the tone for the rest of the film. It starts with a black and white shot of a group of people performing a ritual. The camera then zooms in on the face of an unfortunate sacrifice victim before quickly cutting back to color. The transformation is jarring and sets the audience up for a suspenseful and eerie ride.

Morgan's character is relatable from the start. She just wants to fit in and make some friends on a strange and unfamiliar campus. Rachel Amanda Bryant does an excellent job portraying Morgan's vulnerability and fear as the horrors unfold around her. Brit Sheridan brings the right amount of sass and evil energy as Veronica, the sorority leader who is willing to do anything to bring back the dead - no matter the cost.

The Campus features several twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the end. The use of practical effects and makeup is noteworthy, and the gory scenes are both shocking and gruesome. The eerie background score and well-timed sound effects add to the overall suspense.

Scott Menville’s character, Smoky, is initially presented as comic relief, but his role becomes increasingly important as the movie progresses. Although his character is not as developed as the others, he does have some significant contributions to the plot.

The film's pacing is tight, and the editing is efficient, making the 84-minute runtime feel much shorter. The director Jason Horton manages to create a sense of claustrophobia and fear within the apparently benign and familiar setting of a college campus.

The Campus explores themes of loyalty, sisterhood, and the consequences of playing with things beyond our control. It's a cautionary tale that emphasizes the importance of making wise decisions and accepting responsibility for the outcomes.

The Campus is not without its flaws, however. Some of the dialogue feels forced and unnatural, and some of the actors' performances could have been better. The subplot involving Morgan's professor and her falling grades could have been fleshed out more and seems disconnected from the main storyline.

Overall, The Campus is a well-crafted horror movie that should satisfy horror fans looking for a good scare. The film's strong points, including excellent practical effects, a suspenseful and twisted plot and effective stagings of creepy sorority rituals make up for its weak points, such as middling acting and a disjointed narrative. If you love horror movies with jump scares, creepy rituals, and a dash of blood and gore, then The Campus is well worth the watch.